Japan Names Starting Lineup for Uruguay Friendly
Listen to the story
Japan's national football team, known as SAMURAI BLUE, will play Uruguay in a friendly match today.
The game is part of the Kirin Challenge Cup 2026. It will take place at Q&A Stadium Miyagi in Japan on September 24.
The Japan national team coach has announced the starting lineup for the match.
Kuryu Matsuki will make his debut for the national team. He will play as a right wing-back, a position on the side of the field.
In midfield, the Sano brothers will play as defensive midfielders, called "boranchi" in Japanese football.
Two well-known players, Takefusa Kubo and Daichi Kamada, will not start the game.
Instead, they will begin the match on the bench. This means the coach may bring them into the game later.
Uruguay's national team has also arrived in Japan for the match, and their squad members have been introduced.
Separately, defender Ritsu Doan was seen traveling to the game. Fans praised his style, saying he looked very cool.
He was carrying a Louis Vuitton bag that matched one used by teammate Keito Nakamura, but in a different color.
Doan reportedly showed a determined expression before today's important match against Uruguay.
Fans are excited to see the new young players get a chance, as well as the return of Japan's star players later in the game.
Vocabulary9 words
- friendly
- a game that is not part of a big official competition
- starting lineup
- the list of players who begin the game
- debut
- the first time a player plays in a match
- wing-back
- a player who plays on the side and helps in both attack and defense
- midfield
- the middle area of the football field
- defensive midfielder
- a player who plays in the middle and stops the other team's attacks
- bench
- the place where players sit before or after they play
- squad
- the group of players on a team
- determined
- showing strong will to succeed
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Quiz
Answer key
1. Miyagi 2. Right wing-back 3. False
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Japan's national football team, known as SAMURAI BLUE, will play Uruguay in a _____ match today.
The game is part of the Kirin Challenge Cup 2026, at Q&A Stadium _____ on September 24.
Kuryu Matsuki will make his _____ for the national team.
He will play as a right _____, a position on the side of the field.
In midfield, the _____ brothers will play as defensive midfielders.
Two well-known players, Takefusa Kubo and _____, will not start the game.
Instead, they will begin the match on the _____.
Uruguay's national team has also arrived in Japan for the _____.
Fans praised Ritsu Doan's style, saying he looked very _____.
He was carrying a Louis Vuitton bag that matched one used by teammate Keito _____.
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