Song Lam Nghe An decided not to recruit Japanese central defender
After a meeting between the club's Board of Directors and the coaching council on the afternoon of December 19, Song Lam Nghe An decided not to recruit central defender Wada Koji from Japan.
Wada Koji came to Song Lam Nghe An for a trial on December 13. After a period of training with the Nghe players, on December 17, the Vinh team organized an internal practice match to re-evaluate the ability of this central defender. In that match, Song Lam Nghe An was divided into teams A and B. For team A, coach Phan Nhu Thuat arranged a group of key players. Among them, there were the foreign striker duo Kuku and Olaha; midfielders Xuan Tien, Manh Quynh, Xuan Binh...
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On Team B's side, captain Song Lam Nghe An arranged a central defender line consisting of Wada Koji, Le Van Thanh and some other domestic players.
This arrangement was intended to show Wada Koji's true abilities.
Also at the internal training match, in order to increase objectivity in deciding whether to replace foreign player Zaracho with Wada Koji, the Board of Directors of Song Lam Nghe An Club established a coaching council with the task of rating the central defender from Japan.
By the afternoon of December 19, Lam River Nghe An held a meeting to get opinions from members of the coaching council. Most coaches underestimated the ability of central defender Wada Koji and believed that this foreign player was not capable of bringing positive changes to the defense of Song Lam Nghe An. Therefore, the Board of Directors of Nghe An Football Club decided not to recruit Wada Koji for the second leg of the 2024/2025 season.
It is known that after rejecting Wada Koji, Song Lam Nghe An will continue to look for another foreign central defender to best prepare for the home team in phase 2 of V-League 2024/2025.
Wada Koji grew up at the Yokohama F Marinos Junior Youth youth football training center, with his forte position being center back. After playing for the Yokohama F Marinos youth team, this player born in 2001 moved to play for Sendai University (Japan).
In 2024, the Japanese player joined Taichung Futuro Football Club in the Taiwan Premier League. However, throughout 2024, Wada Koji could only play 3 matches.