Fixtures · Sep 30, 2026
Japan's LA 2028 generation survives a 9-8 shootout, sets up an Asian Games final against South Korea
If you want a preview of the next Samurai Blue, it just went through the wringer. Japan's U-21 side fell behind to Uzbekistan after eight minutes in the Asian Games semifinal at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, and stayed behind until Sena Ishibashi equalized with two minutes of normal time left. Extra time settled nothing. The shootout went to ten rounds before Uzbekistan hit the crossbar and Japan won it 9-8. Coach Go Oiwa had rotated all eleven starters from the previous round, and it is his fourth straight final in a major Asian tournament with this group, per Football Channel. Waiting in the final: South Korea, the three-time defending champions, on Saturday, October 3 at Toyota Stadium, kickoff 19:30 JST (3:30am Pacific). Many of these players are the core of the LA 2028 Olympic push, so this one is worth staying up for.