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September 5, 2024
Wataru Endo, a Liverpool midfielder and Japan’s captain, stated on Wednesday that the rise in the number of his fellow citizens relocating to England is due to their increased value in the global football market.
As he prepares for Japan’s World Cup qualifying match against China in the final round on Thursday, the 31-year-old added that players moving to the second-tier Championship and the Premier League will help his nation’s game progress.
“I believe the valuation of Japanese players is gradually on the up, and they are of interest from (clubs) across the world at the moment,” Endo told a press conference.
“I have conversations with the staff at Liverpool as well, getting asked about players. It’s not so we can realize a transfer or anything like that, but we have chats saying ‘he is good’ and so on.”
Right-back Yukinari Sugawara joined Endo, Kaoru Mitoma, and Takehiro Tomiyasu in the Premier League, which now has a record five Japanese players, after midfielder Daichi Kamada moved to Crystal Palace.
Eight Japanese players are also present in the Championship, but only three of them—Ao Tanaka, a new midfielder for Leeds; Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, an attacker for Coventry; and Daiki Hashioka, a defender for Luton—have received senior Japan caps.
“For Japanese football to develop, experiencing overseas football from a young age is a wonderful opportunity,” Possibly the most popular destination for Japanese players in recent years, Endo joined his former team, Stuttgart, when they were in the German second division. “Japan national team players and youngsters getting to know the environment (of top-class competition) and developing their abilities is a great thing.”
Hajime Moriyasu, the manager of Japan, praised his young compatriots’ challenges as well.”It’s about fiercely and rigorously winning their positions in competition with rivals from around the world,” he said. “Knowing the values from around the world while maintaining those of Japan will help their development as players.”
“I assume there’ve been lots of cases where players joined the English second tier with an eye on taking that next step to play in the Premier League, where the very best gather.”
As Japan opened their 2026 World Cup final-round Asian qualifiers against China 7-0 at home on Thursday, Takumi Minamino scored a brace. Junya Ito returned with a goal and two assists.
At Saitama Stadium, the home team led 2-0 at halftime thanks to goals from Wataru Endo and Kaoru Mitoma. Daizen Maeda and Takefusa Kubo scored late goals to complete the rout in the Group C opener, which Japan had lost in its previous two final-round campaigns.
“The players prepared well, making use of the bitter experience from the past,” manager Hajime Moriyasu said. “Only one game is out of the way, and nothing has been decided yet whatsoever. We’ll keep playing without forgetting this mindset of grinding out a result each game.”
Japan, deploying a three-person defense with Kubo and Minamino positioned behind lone striker Ayase Ueda, struck first in the 12th minute. Kubo’s well-placed corner found an unmarked captain Endo, who powered a header past Wang Dalei to open the scoring. Although Hidemasa Morita missed two promising chances, Japan, ranked 18th by FIFA, maintained their momentum and doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time. Ritsu Doan’s deep cross met Mitoma, who headed it into the far corner.
Under Croatian coach Branko Ivankovic, China, ranked 87th, struggled to break through, managing only a single shot as Japan dominated play. Japan’s third goal arrived in the 52nd minute when Mitoma threaded the ball into the box for Minamino. He nutmegged his defender and curled a shot into the far corner from a tight angle. Six minutes later, Minamino notched his second, breaking free after Ueda blocked his marker, precisely slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Junya Ito entered the match just after the hour mark, receiving an enthusiastic welcome for his first appearance since the Asian Cup in February. He marked his return with a goal, netting a deflected shot from close range in the 77th minute. Another Ito cross found substitute Daizen Maeda, who nodded the ball in on the bounce in the 87th minute. Ito then assisted Kubo’s powerful finish in the game’s final moments. The match also saw defender Kota Takai debut a day after turning 20. Japan’s campaign kicked off with a dominant victory.
“I was part of the squad when we lost the opener last time. We had this common understanding that things will get significantly tough if we lose,” Minamino said. “I’m really glad to have come away with this sort of a result.”
The top two teams in the group advance automatically to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico finals. Japan’s next match is away to Bahrain, who defeated Australia 1-0.
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