Dallas, 2 of the three Ajax players in action in the Netherlands vs. Japan match in Arlington are Japanese, including brand new captain Ko Itakura.
Japan changed plans almost at the last minute as captain Endo Wataru was ruled out of the squad on Thursday (June 11) with a left leg injury and talks with the Nashville, Tennessee camp of Itakura to avoid disrupting preparations. Many tears were shed after learning that the Liverpool midfielder was much loved. But Indo handed over the reins to Itakura and announced his international retirement.
Although many Japanese and Koreans play for Dutch clubs, Itakura was Ajax’s first Japanese signing.
The other Amsterdam-based Ajax player is Japanese Takehiro Tomiyasu. For the Dutch, it’s Wout Weghorst – the lasting fame of his goal against Argentina in 2022.
But when club mates from opposite sides meet at the World Cup, it’s always interesting. “Of course, we have talked about it. Mostly in a normal and relaxed way, not really in a humorous way,” Tomiyasu told the Ajax website when asked. “A lot of Dutch players in the team asked us about the World Cup and the strength of Japan,” he admitted.
For Itakura, the dream comes with responsibility as Japan is tagged as a dark horse. The team’s players told ESPN that they are serious about winning the World Cup “and not there for fun.”
When the J-League started in 1992, Japan declared 2092 as the year it needed to win the World Cup. This target has been pushed back to 2050, although current players believe they can meet it in this version as well.
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The change of captain was a shock, but the Japanese are known for their flexibility. “We are always together and never leave anyone behind,” ESPN quoted him as saying.
Shortly after, Endo posted on Twitter, “Since the injury, I have done everything in my power so I have no regrets. Of course, it hurts that I will not be playing in this World Cup. But I have led this team as captain since the Qatar World Cup and I am proud to see us mature into a group that strives to win the World Cup. Overcome any and all obstacles and see us as we have never seen before.”
“I am now retiring from national team activities. So, from here I will support Japan as a fan. I have no doubt that the time will come for Japan to win the World Cup.”
Picked up by Manchester City in early 2019, Itakura was first loaned to North Eredivisie Dutch club FC Groningen.
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However, the red and white of Ajax was his second spell in Holland after arriving from the Bundesliga.
However, there were other connections between Ajax and Japan, the club noted. Ajax played an Intercontinental Cup match on 28 November 1995 in Tokyo. With the win, on penalties against South American champions Grêmio, Ajax won their second world title on Japanese soil, the club wrote.
Although the strangest connection was the jersey sponsor. “…and speaking of history, thirteen years ago, TDK became Ajax’s first shirt sponsor. The manufacturer of cassette tapes and electronics has its origins in Japan. This partnership lasted until the 1990/1991 season. Between 1982 and 1991, numerous sposons took place with the Ajax name emblazoned on the famous shirt,” Ajax noted.