Three of the J. League's youngest stars will likely receive Samurai Blue debuts and a trip to Brazil as head coach Hajime Moriyasu looks to accelerate their development.
Following their omissions from Japan's squad for the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup, 17-year-old FC Tokyo midfielder Takefusa Kubo, 20-year-old Kashima Antlers midfielder Hiroki Abe, and 19-year-old Sanfrecce Hiroshima goalkeeper Keisuke Osako are expected to be given their first senior international call-ups ahead of next month's international friendlies as well as the Copa America.
Moriyasu, who is in charge of both Japan's senior national team and Olympic team, convinced the players to forgo the biannual youth competition in favor of "creating an environment for Japan's treasures to develop," according to Nikkan Sports.
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