Three of the J. League¡¯s youngest stars will likely receive Samurai Blue debuts and a trip to Brazil as head coach Hajime Moriyasu looks to accelerate their development.
Following their omissions from Japan¡¯s squad for the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup, 17-year-old FC Tokyo midfielder Takefusa Kubo, 20-year-old Kashima Antlers midfielder Hiroki Abe, and 19-year-old Sanfrecce Hiroshima goalkeeper Keisuke Osako are expected to be given their first senior international call-ups ahead of next month¡¯s international friendlies as well as the Copa America.
Moriyasu, who is in charge of both Japan¡¯s senior national team and Olympic team, convinced the players to forgo the biannual youth competition in favor of ¡°creating an environment for Japan¡¯s treasures to develop,¡± according to Nikkan Sports.
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