The guest is Tetsuji Hashiratani, a former captain of the Japanese national team who played an active part in Verdy Kawasaki during the J-League’s founding period. This time, Sergio is a dry critique of the key points of the U-24 Japan national team’s offense and defense in the Tokyo Olympics! After the Olympics, the Qatar World Cup Asian Final Qualifying will finally begin. What is lacking in Takefusa Kubo in order to stand at the center of the team even for A representative?⁉ Furthermore, Hashiratani, who was also active as a voluntary during his active career, talks about the greatness of Wataru Endo! ■ Tetsuji Hashiratani (former Japan national team) Before the opening of the J-League, he played for the Nissan Motors Soccer Club, the predecessor of Yokohama F. Marinos. After that, he was one of the legendary players representing the J-League’s founding period, who has been active as a defensive key in Verdy Kawasaki since 1992. He was called a “fighting general” because of his appearance that inspires the team violently. As an indispensable presence for the Japanese national team, he participated in 72 international A matches. He stood on the pitch as a captain during the Doha tragedy. After retiring, he continues to work for the Japanese soccer world, including directing various clubs. ■ Takefusa Kubo (Real Madrid / Japan National Team) In 2010, when he was in the third grade of elementary school, he joined the Kawasaki Frontale sub-organization. The following year, in 2011, he passed the membership test of the Barcelona sub-organization and went to Spain. In 2015, he returned to Japan and joined FC Tokyo. The following year, when he was registered as a top team, he made his J-League debut at 15 years, 5 months and 1 day, breaking the record for the youngest player. In the J-League, he mixed with “adults” and showed dribbling with a fine ball touch, a wide field of view, and an outstanding pass sense, and tried to prove his genius again. Then, in June 2019, he completely transferred to Real Madrid, Spain’s world-famous big club. At the Tokyo Olympics, he scored three goals on the group stage and contributed to breaking through all the wins. There are great expectations for the future mainstay of Representative A. ■ Wataru Endo (VfB Stuttgart / Japan National Team) In 2010, he made his J-League debut as a two-class registered player from Shonan Bellmare. After enrolling for 6 seasons, transferred to Urawa Reds. In 2015, he was first elected to represent Japan, and in 2018, he was also selected as a member of the Russian World Cup. After that, he transferred to Sint-Truiden VV in the first division of Belgium, and now belongs to VfB Stuttgart in Bundesliga, Germany. In the 2020/21 season, he recorded the number one duel victory in the Bundesliga. Called the “King of Duel”. At the Tokyo Olympics, he was selected as one of the overages and showed great success as a core player. ■ Duel A Latin word that means two people. In soccer, it refers to “one-on-one competition for balls.”
JP2021.COM