The Japan Football Association (JFA) officially announced on its official website the final list of 26 national teams for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup Qatar. Japan defeated Thailand 5-0 in an exhibition match on Sunday, continuing its nine-match winning streak. It is the record for the most consecutive victories in the history of the Japanese national team.
Manager Hajime Moriyasu has included key players who are currently injured. The inclusion of Kaoru Mitoma (26, Brighton), who was diagnosed out for four to six weeks after injuring his left ankle in the match against Crystal Palace on June 22, is drawing attention.
The list also includes defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, who is absent due to injury. “We don’t know whether (Mitoma) will play in the first match of the tournament. However, he is recovering well from his injury. We decided to select him based on the judgment that he can utilize (Mitoma) while communicating with the medical staff,” Moriyasu Hajime said.
The official entry for the Asian Cup was 26, which is an increase of three compared to the World Cup in Qatar. Moriyasu used the card as a means to enable his team to wait for key players to play. Even if Mitoma fails to play, Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), Takumi Minamino (AS Monaco), Ritz Doan (Friburg), and Junya Ito (Lance) have as many alternative players as possible. Japan has a “Plan B” if Mitoma fails to play.
Korea is the opposite. Hwang Ui-jo, the undisputed one-top, was ultimately excluded from the final list due to charges of illegal filming of sex. However, no replacement for Hwang was selected. “26 is enough to fill any vacancy. Cho Kyu-sung is the starting forward. Son Heung-min can play as a fake No. 9 and also plays on the wing. Son is the best in the world as a center forward,” Klinsmann said. 경마
Klinsmann allocated three more spots to promising players. Kim Ji-soo (19, Brentford), dubbed the next generation of defenders in the Korean soccer, and Yang Hyun-joon (21, Celtic) who plays for Celtic became the surprise candidates. Kim Joo-sung (23, FC Seoul) was also listed.
However, the position imbalance is severe. If Cho Kyu-sung and Oh Hyun-kyu are injured or receive a credit card, there are no professional strikers who can play for them. On the other hand, Park Jin-seop can even cover central defense, so he can take as many as six centerbacks. It is an investment that is more than necessary.
Like the World Cup, the Asian Cup is not a place to experience, but a place to prove. I wonder if Klinsmann can afford to take a prospect that he will not even use in the finals for the future of Korean soccer. Whenever controversy arose over his “staying abroad” and “ESPN’s two jobs,” Klinsmann said, “Please judge based on the results of the Asian Cup. Regardless of your replacement, do as you please.”
Klinsmann, who did not make up the best player list, is only looking at Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae, Hwang Hee-chan and Lee Kang-in in the “World Class.” Coaches have a strong tendency to depend on individual players’ abilities. What is Klinsmann’s “Plan B” really? If Korea fails to beat rival Japan at the Asian Cup, Klinsmann should step down to take responsibility.