The AFC U17 Asian Cup Thailand 2023, which started on June 15, saw intense battles for the qualification for the U-17 World Cup, which will be held in four months. In this tournament, three players from Tokyo, Ryunosuke SATO, Wataru GOTO, and Shuto NAGANO, who belong to FC Tokyo U-18, were selected and won the Asian Cup.
Ryunosuke SATO wore the number 10 jersey for Japan and scored a direct free kick in the Semifinal Round against Iran, showcasing his skills in the midfield and greatly contributing to Japan's advancement to the Final Round. Wataru GOTO tightened the team's defense from the back and received the tournament's Best Goalkeeper Award. In a knockout tournament where losing meant elimination, he repeatedly prevented crises with his shot-stopping abilities. Shuto NAGANO demonstrated his high contribution to the attack with precise long feeds that became the starting point for scoring in the Semifinal Round against Australia, despite being a defensive player. The three players, who showcased their strengths and helped lead Japan to victory, returned to Japan on July 4 and joined FC Tokyo U-18 training on the 6th. After the tournament, comments were received from the three players who returned to Kodaira Ground, directed towards the fans and supporters who cheered for them.
<Ryunosuke SATO's Comment>
"It was a tough schedule with a total of six matches in just two days, but thanks to the wonderful support from all 23 players and staff, I was able to spend about a month of the tournament period in good condition. Above all, I am grateful that we finished with the wonderful result of winning the championship and gained an amazing experience. I want to work hard in practice starting today so that I can properly give back this experience in the match coming up this weekend. Once again, thank you for all the support. I believe many people were able to watch the matches thanks to the streaming on DAZN. It connected to my motivation, and I played with the desire to show good plays to as many people as possible. I will continue to work hard to be able to play on a stage where everyone can see me. Thank you for your support."
<Wataru GOTO's Comment>
"I am relieved to have finished this tournament as champions, but personally, I had many plays where I was helped by the defense, and I found many areas for improvement. Of course, playing on the stage of the next World Cup is one of my goals, but first, I want to contribute to the U-18's victory and steadily build on what I need to do. Also, I received a lot of supportive comments. I believe that this shows how much attention the U-17 Japan national team has received. I want to grow into a player who can continue to receive your support. Thank you for your encouragement."
<Shuto NAGANO's Comment>
"My goal was to conquer Asia, so I trained in Japan and then went to Thailand. Personally, there was a match where we drew in a tough situation, but I was able to secure a win and achieve the championship. I feel that winning is a significant accomplishment for me. In this tournament, I found many areas where I performed well and areas that need improvement. I want to organize my experiences and challenges properly and continue to grow as a member of Tokyo. Many people sent me supportive messages, and during the tournament, I was encouraged by everyone's support, which allowed me to feel like a player representing the U-17 Japan national team. I want to achieve results in the Premier League so that I can continue to receive support and strive to compete with the world as a member of the World Cup squad."
FC Tokyo U-18 match schedule is here
