The U-22 Argentina National Team arrived in Japan on Tuesday, 14 November ahead of an international friendly match against the U-22 Japan National Team at IAI Stadium Nihondaira in Shizuoka on Saturday, 18 November.

The team arrived at Haneda and Narita International Airport before being transferred to a hotel in Shizuoka, where they began training the following afternoon.

The international friendly match between the U-22 Japan National Team and the U-22 Argentina National Team is scheduled to kick-off at 14:00 on Saturday, 18 November.

Coach and Player's Comments

Javier Alejandro MASCHERANO, Head Coach
I have been to Japan many times, including when I was a player, both for the national team and club teams, and I have the impression that the cities are very clean, and the people are very respectful to people from abroad. I think Japan is a country we look up to and I am very happy to be back here. In terms of football, Japan has made dramatic progress over the past decade. We had the opportunity to play against the U-20 Japan National Team and we felt that they were very good on the ball and capable of taking the lead in the game. The two matches, including the training match we will play on this tour, are very important and we see them as an opportunity to see the players we have not been able to call up so far for the South American qualifiers for the Olympics, which start on 20 January next year. I would like to thank the Japanese people for always treating the Argentina National Team with respect. Please come and enjoy the match at the stadium in Shizuoka.

Facundo Valentin BUONANOTTE
I have not seen many football matches played by Japan, but having Mitoma Kaoru as a teammate at Brighton, I can imagine that Japanese football has great potential, and looking at their results at the World Cup, it is easy to imagine that they are at a very high level. This friendly match is against a very strong opponent, so we will do our best to prepare well from tomorrow in order to win. I am sure it will be a great match. We have only just arrived but everyone in Japan has been really nice and accommodating and we are very grateful for that.

U-22 Argentina National Team

Coach

Javier MASCHERANO (Argentina)

Squad

GK
12  Fabricio IACOVICH (Estudiantes de La Plata)
 1   Leandro BREY (Boca Juniors)

DF
 4   Gonzalo LUJAN (San Lorenzo)
15  Diego CALCATERRA (Sarmiento)
 6   Gaston AVILA (Ajax/Netherlands)
 3   Lucas ESQUIVEL (Athletico Paranaense/Brazil)
14  Bruno AMIONE (Hellas Verona/Italy)
 2   Marco DI CESARE (Argentinos Juniors)

MF
18  Rodrigo VILLAGRA (Talleres)
 8   Bruno ZAPELLI (Athletico Paranaense/Brazil)
13  Santiago SIMON (River Plate)
22  Carlos ALCARAZ (Southampton/England)
 5   Federico REDONDO (Argentinos Juniors)
20  Nicolas PAZ (Real Madrid/Spain)
11  Facundo BUONANOTTE (Brighton & Hove Albion/England)

FW
 7   Pablo SOLARI (River Plate)
19  Luis VAZQUEZ (RSC Anderlecht/Belgium)
10  Thiago ALMADA (Atlanta United/USA)
 9   Luciano GONDOU (Argentinos Juniors)

International Friendly Match

Fixture: U-22 Japan National Team vs U-22 Argentina National Team
Date: Sat. 18 November 2023
Venue: IAI Stadium Nihondaira (Shizuoka)

Match Information

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