Japan U23 vs Hong Kong U23 Asian Games Preview
Japan kick off their campaign in the football event at the Asian Games with a Group A clash against Hong Kong.
The Samurai Blue are looking almost unstoppable at the moment and should be too strong for their rivals, who have found things difficult lately.
Key Stats
- Japan U23 are unbeaten in their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Japan U23 have won by two or more goals in five of their last eight matches in all competitions.
- Japan U23 have won by two or more goals in the two previous matches against Hong Kong U23.
- Hong Kong U23 have lost four of their last six matches in all competitions.
- Hong Kong U23 have failed to score in four of their last six matches in all competitions.
Japan on Top
Japan have won the two previous matches against Hong Kong. The Samurai Blue claimed a 4-0 victory in the Asian U23 Cup qualifier in 2021 before earning a similar win at the 2023 Asian Games semi-final.
Smooth Sailing for the Samurai Blue.
Japan are returning to action for the first time since winning the AFC U23 Cup back in January. They eased to a 4-0 victory over China in the final, with Kosei Ogura netting a brace while Yuto Ozeki and Ryunosuke Sato were also on target.
Things have been particularly smooth for Japan lately as they are unbeaten in their last 10 in all competitions. They have picked up eight wins in this run and manager Go Oiwa will be keen to carry that form into the Asian Games.
Japan have been the dominant force at this level for a while and have picked up a string of one-sided wins lately. Among their results at the Asian Cup is a 5-0 victory over Syria, while they also eased past Kuwait 6-1 during the qualifiers.
Hong Kong Looking Unconvincing
Hong Kong’s last outing was during the qualifiers for the Asian U23 Cup back in 2025. They failed to qualify for the tournament but claimed a 1-0 victory over Guam in their final fixture.
The win over Guam was a rare result for Hong Kong, who have found things a bit difficult lately. Tsang Chiu Tat’s team have lost four of their last six matches in all competitions.
Hong Kong have been at the receiving end of some one-sided results lately, with 4-0 defeats to Uzbekistan and Iran among their recent results. They are also unconvincing in attack, failing to score in four of their last six matches in all competitions.
Team News & Predicted Line-ups
Japan (4-2-3-1): Masataka Kobayashi; Keita Kosugi, Shuto Nagano, Kaito Tsuchiya, Haruto Hatsumoto; Kenshin Yasuda, Toki Sugasawa; Shusuke Furuya, Tokumo Kawai, Kento Shiogai; Keisuke Goto.
Midfielder Ogura misses out for Japan after picking up a knee injury while playing for his club Okayama earlier this month. Nagano and Tsuchiya should feature in defence while Goto is expected to lead the line.
Hong Kong (4-4-2): Kun-Sun Chan; Kohki Sung, Kai Cheuk Yim, Ellison Tsang, Chun-Nok Kwok; Lok-Him Lee, Jeffrey Chin, Long-Ho Ho, Pui-Hoon Poon; Matthew Slattery, Anthony Pinto.
Pinto should feature in attack for Hong Kong alongside Matthew Slattery. Chun is set to feature in midfield while Yim and Tsang are expected to start at the heart of the defence.