Japan Overcomes Iceland: Moriyasu Views it as a Successful Test

Japan secured a hard-fought victory against Iceland on Sunday, but head coach Hajime Moriyasu still referred to it as a successful test. The World Cup opponent for the Netherlands must move forward without key players Kaoru Mitoma, who underwent hamstring surgery, and Takumi Minamino, who is sidelined due to a knee injury. This situation presents a significant challenge for Japan, prompting Moriyasu to seek new solutions before the tournament.

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In the match against Iceland, three players were tested on the left flank, showcasing a rotation that included Junya Ito, Keito Nakamura, and Keisuke Goto. Both Ito and Nakamura started the match, and while Moriyasu acknowledged that improvements were needed, he concluded that it was a successful exercise. This information could be of interest to the Dutch national team, who will face Japan on June 14. In preparation for that encounter, the Japanese side will not see action again, while the Netherlands is set to play two more friendlies, facing Algeria on June 3 and Uzbekistan five days later.