How are Japan’s U-23s, who are aiming to qualify for the Paris Olympics, faring in the J1 League this season?

The U-23 Asian Cup, which serves as Japan’s qualifiers for the Paris Olympics, will be held in Qatar from 15 April.

Japan is aiming to participate in their eighth consecutive Olympic Games, but with only three and a half direct places up for grabs it will not be easy. In the group stage, they have been drawn with South Korea, UAE and China, and if they make it through to the knockout round they are likely to face either host nation Qatar or Australia in the quarter-finals. Other countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq could also lie in wait for Japan.

The Japan squad for the tournament was announced on 4 April, but on account of the difficulty in calling up players with European clubs, including the team’s ace Yuito Suzuki (Brøndby IF), it is predominantly made up of domestic players. Of the 23 that made the list, 17 play in the J1 League.

Looking at the situation of those 17 players at their respective clubs, some have secured regular places while others have remained as backups. How are each of them doing in the J1 League this season? Here is a summary of each player’s performance as of the end of the seventh round of games.

Matsuki, Fujio, Araki and others in midfield and up front in good form

The midfield is where the depth of the team can be felt. Sota Kawasaki has played in every game since the start of the season, while Satoshi Tanaka and Kuryu Matsuki have also been mainstays at their clubs. Considering the addition of overseas players Joel Chima Fujita and Rihito Yamamoto, the middle of the park is sure to be a strong area for Japan.

The forwards include Shota Fujio, who has been instrumental in FC Machida Zelvia’s progress, and Ryotaro Araki, who has been scoring goals for his new club FC Tokyo. These two attackers, who have been in good form, will surely be key players at the tournament.

However, it is worrying that Mao Hosoya, the team’s highest goalscorer, has yet to find the net this season. The striker, who scored 14 goals in the J1 League last year and has been selected for the full national team, may struggle if his form does not improve soon.

In goal there are high hopes for Taishi Brandon Nozawa, who is making more appearances for FC Tokyo, and Leo Brian Kokubo, who is plying his trade in Portugal.

On the back line, meanwhile, although full-backs like Riku Handa and Hiroki Sekine are impressive and regulars for their respective teams, there are concerns at centre-back. Only Ryuya Nishio of Cerezo Osaka plays often for his club, while Seiji Kimura and Kaito Suzuki haven’t had many chances to play at theirs so far. One player with a lot of potential is Kawasaki Frontale’s Kota Takai, and the tall, rapidly-developing 19-year-old may well become the focal point of the defence.

Since the 1996 Atlanta Games, Olympic qualification has been a mission that their predecessors have continuously accomplished. There is no doubt that a tough battle lies ahead, but we hope that the 23 young samurai will make their mark in Qatar and grab a ticket to Paris.

Japan U-23 J1 League results this season (at the end of the Matchday 7)

GK
Taishi Brandon Nozawa (FC Tokyo) / 3 games (195 mins), 3 goals conceded
Taiki Yamada (Kashima Antlers) / 0 games (0 mins), 0 goals conceded

DF
Riku Handa (Gamba Osaka) / 5 games (365 mins), 0 goals
Ryuya Nishio (Cerezo Osaka) / 5 games (450 mins), 0 goals
Hiroki Sekine (Kashiwa Reysol) / 7 games (629 mins) / 0 goals
Seiji Kimura (Sagan Tosu) / 2 games (91 mins) / 0 goals
Kaito Suzuki (Júbilo Iwata) / 3 games (269 mins) / 0 goals
Ayumu Ohata (Urawa Reds) / 5 games (161 mins) / 0 goals
Kota Takai (Kawasaki Frontale) / 5 games (442 mins) / 0 goals

MF
Sota Kawasaki (Kyoto Sanga) / 7 games (630 mins), 2 goals
Fuki Yamada (Tokyo Verdy) / 6 games (413 mins) / 3 goals
Satoshi Tanaka (Shonan Bellmare) / 7 games (630 mins), 1 goal, 1 assist
Kuryu Matsuki (FC Tokyo) / 7 games (603 mins), 1 goal, 3 assists
Yu Hirakawa (FC Machida Zelvia) / 7 games (629 mins), 1 goal, 3 assists

FW
Shota Fujio (FC Machida Zelvia) / 7 games (587 mins), 3 goals, 1 assist
Ryotaro Araki (FC Tokyo) / 6 games (481 mins) / 5 goals
Mao Hosoya (Kashiwa Reysol) / 7 games (582 mins) / 0 goals