A 23-member Japan Under-21 football team will arrive in Dhaka today to play an international friendly against Bangladesh at Bangabandhu National Stadium this Thursday.
The young Samurais, who are considered the future of Japan football, are scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 12:40pm via TG-321 flight. 12 officials including head coach Teguramori Makoto will accompany the 23 players.
This is the first time a Japanese football team will be touring Bangladesh. Although the Japan Football Association did not send its national side, the U21s are no less formidable either.
While all the participating nations sent their U-23 teams to the Incheon Asian Games football competition last September, Japan played their U-21 side. The youngsters performed admirably before bowing out in the quarterfinals to eventual champions South Korea.
The Japanese team have some quality players who have a bright future ahead, for instance Musahi Suzuki, Ayumi Niekawa and Yuya Kubo, who plies his trade with Switzerland’s top flight club BSC Young Boys.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh captain Mamunul Islam, who is currently with Indian Super League side Atletico de Kolkata, was scheduled to return home yesterday night and join the national camp for the Japan friendly.