On Saturday 15 June, the U-22 Japan National Team faced the U-22 Brazil National Team in the final of the 47th Toulon International Tournament 2019. The two teams drew 1-1 in regulation time, but it was Brazil who took the title after winning the penalty shootouts.

With their first ever title at the Toulon International at stake, Japan rotated four players from the starting line-up that featured their semi-final match. OBI Powell Obinna started in goal with the three-back defence line of OMINAMI Takuma, OKAZAKI Makoto, and TANAKA Shunta. It was KO Takahiro and TANAKA Ao who were positioned as the defensive midfielders while NAGANUMA Yoichi and FUNAKI Kakeru were placed in the flanks. IWASAKI Yuto and HATATE Reo took on the attacking midfielder role with OGAWA Koki as the lone striker.

The match started with Japan applying aggressive pressure from the frontline. An early opportunity was created in the fifth minute when they forced a turnover deep in the opposing end, allowing Hatate to strike a shot from mid-range, but his attempt went wide of the goal......

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