Song Lam Nghe An decides not to recruit the Japanese center-back.
Following a meeting between the club's management and coaching staff on the afternoon of December 19th, Song Lam Nghe An decided not to recruit central defender Wada Koji from Japan.
Wada Koji arrived for a trial at Song Lam Nghe An on December 13th. After a period of training with the Nghe An players, on December 17th, the Vinh-based team held an internal practice match to assess the central defender's abilities. In that match, Song Lam Nghe An was divided into Team A and Team B. Team A, coach Phan Nhu Thuat fielded key players, including the foreign striker duo Kuku and Olaha; and midfielders Xuan Tien, Manh Quynh, Xuan Binh, etc.
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On the B team's side, the Song Lam Nghe An coach deployed a central defense consisting of Wada Koji, Le Van Thanh, and several other domestic players.
This arrangement was intended to showcase Wada Koji's true abilities.
Also during the internal training match, in order to increase objectivity in deciding whether to replace foreign player Zaracho with Wada Koji, the Song Lam Nghe An Club management established a coaching council tasked with evaluating the Japanese center-back.
By the afternoon of December 19th, Lam River, Nghe An A meeting was held to gather opinions from the coaching staff. The majority of coaches underestimated the abilities of center-back Wada Koji, believing that this foreign player was not capable of bringing about a positive change to Song Lam Nghe An's defense. Therefore, the Nghe An Football Club's management decided not to recruit Wada Koji for the second half of the 2024/2025 season.
Reportedly, after rejecting Wada Koji, Song Lam Nghe An will continue searching for another foreign central defender to best prepare the team for the second phase of the V-League 2024/2025.
Wada Koji rose through the ranks of the Yokohama F Marinos Junior Youth football academy, primarily playing as a central defender. After playing for the Yokohama F Marinos youth team, the player born in 2001 moved to play for Sendai University (Japan).
In 2024, the Japanese national joined Taichung Futuro Football Club in the Taiwan Premier League. However, throughout 2024, Wada Koji was only able to play in 3 matches.
