The Asian Cup’s most-successful nation, Japan, tests out a new generation for the first time on Wednesday night when they meet outsiders Turkmenistan.
Big names like Keisuke Honda, Shinji Kagawa and Shinji Okazaki have either retired or been left out by the continent’s only nation to make World Cup 2018’s knockouts. For the Emeralds, they are making just a second-ever appearance.
Here is the preview for the clash at Abu Dhabi’s Al Nahyan Stadium:
New faces, but the same expectations
Japan’s position as a hotbed of Asian talent means they head to the UAE with quiet confidence, even though so many celebrated stalwarts are no more.
Only skipper Maya Yoshida remains of the 2011 Asian Cup champions. Former Inter Milan full-back Yuto Nagatomo is a solitary centurion – during the run to the round of 16 in Russia he was one of three.
New head coach Hajime Moriyasu has been tasked with bringing through a new generation.
In 20-year-old Groningen winger Ritsu Doan he has a potential player of the tournament and Red Bull Salzburg forward Takumi Minamino has four goals in seven internationals. This week’s withdrawal through injury, however, of emerging Portimonense winger Shoya Nakajima is a blow.
Turkmenistan represent a gentle introduction for the record four-time winners. They are ranked 127th by FIFA, 77 places below Samurai Blue.
Rack up some goals, or simply gain a win, then go from there.
SAMURAI BLUE goes over team tactics in training session behind closed doors – AFC Asia Cup UAE 2019 (1/5-2/1) #football https://t.co/J3xgEFnwiV
— jfa_en (@jfa_en) January 8, 2019
Is the future in safe hands?
13 – that’s the number of internationals caps, combined, for Japan’s three goalkeepers.
This is some climbdown from well-travelled Strasbourg shot stopper Eiji Kawashima’s 88 appearances.
But this does not necessarily mean the position is an Achilles heel.
Kawashima was a weak link at World Cup 2018, making errors against Colombia and Senegal in the group stage.
This is Gamba Osaka keeper Masaaki Higashiguchi’s third major tournament, but the first in which he is expected to start.
With new additions of Inui and Shiotani, SAMURAI BLUE conducts training session with all 23 players – AFC Asi #football https://t.co/bOEdJ16omE
— jfa_en (@jfa_en) January 7, 2019
Club and country
Turkmenistan’s strength lies in continuity.
Nearly half of the 23-man squad (11) are drawn from the ranks of Yokary Liga holders Altyn Asyr.
This club has recent pedigree on the continent. They were beaten 2-0 on aggregate by Iraq’s Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in last year’s AFC Cup showpiece.
Elsewhere, winger Ruslan Mingazow is on the books of Czech First League leaders Slavia Prague.
The Emeralds only mined one point in their previous Asian Cup experience in 2004.
A tough Group F, however, means they might not do much better this time.
Turkmenistan 🇹🇲 squad for the #AsianCup2019 pic.twitter.com/m956K9ODaG
— #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) December 30, 2018
