TOKYO:
Former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu was handed a World Cup lifeline on Thursday after being referred to as up by Japan for the primary time in nearly two years for friendlies towards Scotland and England.
The 27-year-old has struggled with accidents and agreed to go away Arsenal in July final 12 months with 12 months left on his contract with a view to deal with his rehabilitation.
He signed for Ajax in December and returned to motion in January for the primary time since October 2024.
Japan play Scotland in Glasgow on March 28 earlier than taking over England at Wembley three days later, and coach Hajime Moriyasu has referred to as up each Tomiyasu and fellow damage returnee Hiroki Ito of Bayern Munich.
“In case you consider the potential of each gamers, if they’re in good situation then in fact it will factor in the event that they have been enjoying for Japan on the World Cup,” mentioned Moriyasu.
“I anticipate their situation to enhance additional between now and the World Cup.”
“It has been some time since they have been final referred to as up so I would like them to refamiliarise themselves with the idea of the staff throughout these video games,” he added.
Japan have been drawn in Group F with the Netherlands, Tunisia and a European qualifier on the World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico this summer season.
Tomiyasu has 42 caps for Japan and performed on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
He joined Arsenal from Bologna in August 2021 and made 84 appearances in all competitions throughout his time in London.
“Tomiyasu hasn’t accomplished a full 90 minutes (for Ajax) but however I’ve seen that he’s able to enjoying,” mentioned Moriyasu.
His squad has been weakened by accidents, with Monaco’s Takumi Minamino and Actual Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo lacking for the March friendlies.
Wolfsburg ahead Kento Shiogai was handed his first call-up and Moriyasu mentioned the World Cup door was nonetheless open.
“We’re getting near the World Cup and a few may say that the time for attempting issues is over and we needs to be finalising our staff,” he mentioned.
“However with a view to win the World Cup, I believe we needs to be calling up gamers who’ve the potential to make us nearly as good as we will be.”
Japan shocked Germany and Spain in Qatar earlier than dropping on penalties to Croatia within the final 16.
