SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) took on Mexico in an international friendly on Saturday 6 September (local time) at the Oakland Coliseum in California, USA.

This fixture marked Japan’s first encounter with non-Asian opposition in almost two years, following their match against Tunisia in October 2023. The opportunity to face Mexico in the United States, two of the three host nations for the upcoming World Cup, proved invaluable for Japan. At the pre-match press conference, head coach MORIYASU Hajime commented: “We’ll bring the style of football we've built through the Asian qualifiers into this match.”

True to his words, Japan adopted the familiar 3-4-2-1 formation used in the final round of Asian qualification. SUZUKI Zion (Parma Calcio 1913) returned in goal, making his first appearance since March. In a defence impacted by injuries, ITAKURA Kou (AFC Ajax), WATANABE Tsuyoshi (Feyenoord), and SEKO Ayumu (Le Havre AC) lined up as the three centre-backs. ENDO Wataru (Liverpool FC) and KAMADA Daichi (Crystal Palace), the latter a late call-up, featured in central midfield, while DOAN Ritsu (Eintracht Frankfurt) and MITOMA Kaoru (Brighton & Hove Albion FC) operated as the right and left wing-backs respectively.

In the attacking midfield roles, KUBO Takefusa (Real Sociedad) started on the right and MINAMINO Takumi (AS Monaco) on the left, with UEDA Ayase (Feyenoord) leading the line. From the outset, Japan’s front three applied coordinated high pressing, pinning Mexico deep inside their own half. As captain Endo later remarked, “In the first half in particular, we were able to press them properly from the front. We put them under pressure, forced turnovers, and played the match at our rhythm.”

Against Raul JIMENEZ, who had scored in Japan’s 0–2 defeat to Mexico on 17 November 2020, Watanabe showed strong resolve, denying the tall striker time or space. Japan’s three-man backline coordinated effectively to challenge long balls and vertical passes, keeping the opposition at bay.

Japan maintained their aggression after the break. In the 53rd minute, they came close to breaking the deadlock with a move rehearsed in training, targeting the half-space in the final third. A precise pass from Doan found Kubo making a run into the right side of the box, from where he delivered a cross to the opposite side. Minamino met it with a volley that sailed over the bar, but it clearly demonstrated the structured build-up play Moriyasu refers to as the team’s “accumulated progress.”

Despite dominating possession, Japan were unable to convert their chances. Their task was made harder when Itakura was forced off through injury in the 60th minute. In response, Moriyasu made a double substitution in the 69th minute, bringing on ITO Junya (KRC Genk) and MAEDA Daizen (Celtic FC) for Kubo and Minamino. The reshuffle saw Ito and Maeda slot into the wing-back roles, with Mitoma and Doan pushed up into the attacking midfield positions as Japan chased a breakthrough.

Still, the match remained goalless. In the 81st minute, Doan was replaced by MACHINO Shuto (Borussia Monchengladbach), who partnered Ueda up front. The introduction of a second striker signalled Japan’s clear intent to go for the win. In the 90th minute, Ueda broke in behind the defence, only to be brought down from behind by Cesar MONTES. Following an on-field review, Montes was shown a straight red card. Though Japan had a numerical advantage, little time remained, and the match ended shortly afterwards in a goalless draw.

“Of course, it’s disappointing not to have won,” Moriyasu reflected after the match. “But the players have trained with great focus each day, prepared thoroughly, fought hard to win, and shown everything they’ve got. I told the players to keep building on this. We need to improve our quality in order to win matches like these and continue raising our overall level as a team.”

The head coach concluded by expressing his satisfaction with the team’s demonstration of progress in all phases of play. He highlighted the significance of facing Mexico at this stage in their development, calling it an important step forward on their journey.

Coach and Players' Comments

MORIYASU Hajime, Head Coach of SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team)
There were no major surprises from the Mexican side. As expected, under the guidance of Javier AGUIRRE, they were a highly disciplined and well-organised team, one that increases its chances of winning through solid, structured football. Looking at the match as a whole, our players worked hard in all phases of play, and our performance was such that we could easily have come away with a win. That said, we must continue to improve the quality of our play, especially in transitions from defence to attack. Against a resolute defence like Mexico’s, we need to create more shooting opportunities and be more clinical in front of goal. Of course, it’s disappointing not to have won, but the fact that we were able to compete in a fixture of this calibre and to carry this momentum into our preparations for the World Cup genuinely excites me.

DF #3 WATANABE Tsuyoshi (Feyenoord/Netherlands)
My main focus going into the match was on challenging and covering. Their front line sometimes stayed high with three players, or dropped one and pressed with two, so we had to be aware of who would step out and who would provide cover. They also had the option of playing long balls, so I was constantly communicating with my teammates and had them covering behind me whenever I stepped forward to challenge. I’m pleased we managed to keep a clean sheet. There will always be spells in a match where goals don’t come easily. In those moments, our job is to stay composed, defend with patience, and support the attack from the back. Whether pressing high or dropping deep, the most important thing was to remain solid at the back.

MF/FW #9 UEDA Ayase (Feyenoord/Netherlands)
I only managed to get one or two shots off during the match, so I’d like to be more of a threat in the final third. In terms of my development, I feel I’ve grown in my ability to hold up the ball, win physical battles, and combine technique with strength in tight spaces. This team has many technically gifted players and operates within a high-level tactical setup, so if I can be a reliable outlet and hold the ball under pressure, it allows those players around me to flourish even more. I believe I can make a greater contribution to the team, particularly in the goalscoring areas.

MF/FW #20 KUBO Takefusa (Real Sociedad/Spain)
I genuinely believe we were the stronger side today, and that’s certainly a positive. Against a team like Mexico, it could easily have been a much more difficult game, but we were rarely put under real pressure and showed better quality in our build-up play. Even against their tall striker, Jimenez, we held our own in the aerial duels. At club level, I’ve experienced matches where we’re pinned back and constantly have to deal with long balls, but that wasn’t the case today, as we responded well and stayed composed. There was one moment where they came close, but there weren’t any real scares. It’s a pity we didn’t manage to win, but in terms of the performance, I don’t think there’s anything to be concerned about.

International Friendly Match

Fixture: SAMURAI BLUE vs Mexico National Team
Date: Sat. 6 September, 19:00
Venue: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, USA
Match information

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