On Monday, 1 January, the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) played in the TOYO TIRES CUP 2024 at Japan National Stadium, where they defeated the Thailand National Team 5-0 to extend their winning streak to nine matches.

Ahead of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, where they will be chasing their first Asian title in three tournaments, Japan fielded a 4-2-3-1 line-up for their first-ever national team match held at the Japan National Stadium on New Year's Day in front of 61,916 fans. SUZUKI Zion (Sint-Truidense VV) was named between the sticks with a back-line of MAIKUMA Seiya (Cerezo Osaka), FUJII Haruya (Nagoya Grampus), MACHIDA Koki (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise), and MORISHITA Ryoya (Nagoya Grampus). SANO Kaishu (Kashima Antlers) and TANAKA Ao (Fortuna Dusseldorf) anchored the midfield, while ITO Junya (Stade de Reims), ITO Ryotaro (Sint-Truidense VV), and OKUNUKI Kanji (1. FC Nurnberg) covered the space behind the lone striker HOSOYA Mao (Kashiwa Reysol). Ito Ryotaro, Okunuki, and Fujii made their first international cap in this match. .....

🔹️試合終了🔹️

🏆TOYO TIRES CUP 2024
🇯🇵SAMURAI BLUE 5-0 タイ🇹🇭

⌚️14:00(🇯🇵)
🔗https://t.co/yJsrzkqQXo#夢への勇気を #SAMURAIBLUE#jfa #daihyo #サッカー日本代表 pic.twitter.com/XQ77OdV9Jo

— サッカー日本代表 🇯🇵 (@jfa_samuraiblue) January 1, 2024

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