Watch 2 Japanese veterans compete against Vietnam team

In the D teamJapan teamCaptain Maya Yoshida wears the number 22 jersey and plays as a central defender. Maya Yoshida is the most experienced player on the “Samurai Blue” side with over 124 appearances for the national team. He is also the player chosen by coach Hajime Morijasu to strengthen the Japan U23 team competing at the 2020 Olympics.

Having played 13 years in Europe for VVV.Venlo (Netherlands), Southampton (England) and currently playing for Sampdoria (Italy) speaks to the class of this central defender. While playing for Southampton, he won the 2016–17 English Football League Cup runner-up (MU won), having the opportunity to face most of the Premier League stars such as Ibrahimmovic (MU), Peter Crouch (Stoke City). He won the Asian Cup with the Japanese team in 2011, runner-up in 2019. With a height of 1.89m, it is difficult for European strikers to defeat Maya Yoshida in aerial situations, let alone in Asia. In addition, he has also scored 12 goals for the Japanese team, most of them with his head.

Center back Maya Yoshida (33 years old) is the shield of the away team. Photo: JapanTimes

In the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Asia, the "veteran" has played in 10/12 matches of the "Blue Samurai". Although he is 33 years old, this central defender is an important support in front of the goal of the country of the rising sun. Of course, with such height and experience playing in Europe, the players of the Vietnamese team are not foolish enough to play high balls. In addition, Que Ngoc Hai needs to be careful with Yoshida's attacks from set pieces in the upcoming match.

Playing in the left-back position is number 5 Yuto Nagatomo, a 35-year-old player, but Quang Hai and Van Toan cannot compete with his speed easily. Like Captain Maya Yoshida, defender Yuto Nagatomo has also played 130 matches for the Japanese national team and is also a player that coach Hajime Morijasu trusts. Yuto Nagatomo has played for 8 years for Inter Milan in Serie A, then Gatalasasay (Türkiye), Mareille (France) before returning to play for Tokyo Club (Japan). Although he is 35 years old and does not attack as much as before, this player's experience is still very helpful for the team of the land of the rising sun.

Warrior Yuto Nagatomo is the most senior player on the Japanese team. Photo: JapanTimes

Yuto Nagatomo plays well with both feet and is very experienced in competing for the ball with opposing strikers. Although only 1.70m tall and weighs 68kg, he does not show weakness in the competition because he enters the ball at the right time. In the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Asia, this defender played 9/12 matches and scored 1 goal for the Japanese team. In the 4 matches of the 3rd qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup in Asia, this number 5 was arranged to start. Watching Yuto Nagatomo play, it is easy to see that this defender plays quite intelligently, often has cunning passes, and actively puts pressure on the opponent.

Defenders Maya Yoshida (33 years old) and Yuto Nagatomo (35 years old) are both experienced players but not without weaknesses. Coach Park is no stranger to Japanese football and hopes that the Korean coach will have a plan to help Quang Hai and his teammates overcome this steel wall.