Wataru Endo (31-Liverpool) is set to accomplish the feat of qualifying for his third consecutive Olympic Games.
“The Japanese Olympic (U-23) national team has nominated Endo as a wild card for the 33rd Olympic Games in Paris,” Japanese media outlet Annex reported on July 9 (local time), adding, “Endo strongly wishes to compete, and the Japan Football Association (JFA) has been in persistent talks with Liverpool.”
“The final 18-man roster is expected to be announced on July 3. With Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad) and Yuito Suzuki (Brønby IF) ruled out by their clubs, Endo joins Ko Itakura (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and 안전카지노사이트 Shogo Taniguchi (Al Rayyan SC) as wildcard candidates,” the report added.
The JFA’s struggles to secure a wildcard call-up have been a blessing in disguise, with Endo’s inclusion becoming a reality. Endo will become the first player in Japanese soccer history to compete at three consecutive Olympic Games (31st Rio de Janeiro, 32nd Tokyo, 33rd Paris).
Japan qualified for the Olympic Games by lifting the trophy at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in April. Since then, they have been working on a list of 15 to 16 wildcard candidates, which they have been selecting. It’s a far cry from South Korea, which failed to qualify for the first time in 40 years.
Japan, which hasn’t won a medal since winning bronze at the 1968 Mexico City Games, is determined to make a run with its “strongest lineup ever” at the Games. Starting with the 26th Atlanta Olympics in 1996, Japan has qualified for eight consecutive Olympic Games, but has not been able to achieve even a modest result.
It was initially thought that Endo’s selection would be the most difficult of the wildcard candidates. With the departure of Jürgen Klopp and the arrival of Arne Schott at the helm of Liverpool, the Reds had to start from a “zero base” when evaluating their squad, and for Endo, participating in pre-season was seen as a necessity.
Contrary to popular belief, Endo reportedly pushed the Reds to qualify for the Olympics. “After failing to medal in 2016 and 2021, Endo wants to make amends at the tournament,” the outlet said, adding that “his arrival gives Japan depth and experience in the midfield.”