SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) defeated the Uruguay National Team 3-1 in the KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2026 at Q&A Stadium Miyagi on Thursday 24 September, with goals from MATSUKI Kuryu (Southampton FC), SHIOGAI Kento (VfL Wolfsburg) and UEDA Ayase (LOSC Lille). The victory gave Japan a winning start to their preparations for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, which gets under way early next year.

With MORIYASU Hajime remaining in charge through the Asian Cup, several of Japan’s new additions made an immediate impact in the team’s first match since this summer’s FIFA World Cup. The performance reflected the challenge Moriyasu had set his players: to build on what they had already achieved while continuing to grow and evolve.

Japan started with HAYAKAWA Tomoki (Kashima Antlers) in goal and a back three of SEKO Ayumu (Le Havre AC), ITAKURA Kou (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and ITO Hiroki (FC Bayern Munich), from right to left. Brothers SANO Kaishu (1.FSV Mainz 05) and SANO Kodai (PSV Eindhoven) lined up in central midfield, with Matsuki at right wing-back and NAKAMURA Keito (Olympique Lyonnais) on the left. DOAN Ritsu (Eintracht Frankfurt) and SUZUKI Yuito (SC Freiburg) played further forward behind MAEDA Daizen (Ipswich Town FC). .....

🔹試合終了🔹️

🏆キリンチャレンジカップ2026
🇯🇵#SAMURAIBLUE 3-1 ウルグアイ代表🇺🇾

📺フジテレビ系列全国生中継
📱TVerライブ配信#サッカー日本代表 pic.twitter.com/mofWo3UVJl

— サッカー日本代表 🇯🇵 (@jfa_samuraiblue) September 24, 2026

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