Japan and Ecuador meet in Yokohama with a place in the Kirin Cup final at stake, bringing together two sides using the international window to test changing squads and longer-term plans. New Zealand have already secured the other final place after beating Panama 5-4 on penalties following a goalless match.
Ecuador are without two of their leading figures, Piero Hincapié and Moisés Caicedo, as both are sidelined by injury. The pair are regarded as key leaders within Marcelo Gallardo’s group, leaving the Argentina coach with a reduced squad for a demanding examination against Japan.
Quick facts
- Japan face Ecuador in Yokohama for a Kirin Cup final berth.
- New Zealand beat Panama 5-4 in a shoot-out after a 0-0 draw.
- Japan have lifted the Kirin Cup 10 times since the competition began in 1992.
- Ecuador are missing injured duo Piero Hincapié and Moisés Caicedo.
- Japan won recent friendlies against Uruguay, 3-1, and Venezuela, 2-1.
Gallardo’s opening match in charge ended in a 3-0 defeat to South Korea, although Ecuador’s focus is on building towards the qualifying campaign due to begin in 2027. He described the Japan fixture as an important opportunity to assess the work done during the camp against a team he considers a high-level opponent.
“This is still a period of evaluation, for the players and for me,” Gallardo said. “Playing teams that can test us allows us to compete and keep developing. It is a major challenge for the squad, the country and myself.”
He added that the match would help his staff monitor the team’s behaviour after their training week. Japan, he said, offer “a very interesting test” for Ecuador’s developing side.
Japan arrive with victories but not complete certainty. Their 2-1 win over Venezuela included late controversy involving VAR, while Hajime Moriyasu made extensive changes during that fixture. The Samurai Blue had previously beaten Uruguay 3-1 and are preparing for the Asian Cup at the start of 2027.
Moriyasu has remained in charge since 2018 after renewing his deal following the World Cup, despite speculation that he could move into a federation role. Japan’s recent friendlies have produced encouraging results, but also areas the coach will want to sharpen before the next competitive cycle.
Takefusa Kubo is expected to be central to Japan’s attacking threat. The Real Sociedad winger came off the bench against Venezuela and changed the rhythm on the right flank, repeatedly driving inside before looking for low passes across the box.
Although he did not score or provide an assist, Kubo won the penalty that settled the Venezuela match. His display came after a difficult spell in which he had struggled to consistently reach his best level for both club and country.
Japan’s goalkeeper, recently signed by Aston Villa after leaving Parma, also has a point to prove. His second-half appearance against Venezuela contained an awkward attempt to gather an aerial ball and a poorly dealt-with long-range shot which fell for an opponent, though the follow-up was missed from close range.
The hosts carry considerable history in the Kirin Cup, having won the tournament 10 times. However, their two most recent appearances ended in runners-up finishes: against Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2016 and Tunisia in 2022. The competition is returning after several years away.
New Zealand reached the final by holding Panama scoreless before converting all five penalties. Panama’s Jiménez missed the third kick, the decisive error in a 5-4 shoot-out.
Ecuador’s proposed starting side includes Galíndez in goal; Franco, Porozo, Pacho and Mercado in defence; Arroyo, Alcívar, Vite and Estupiñán in midfield; with Reboah and Angulo further forward.
Japan are set to begin with Suzuki; Itakura, Seko and Hiroki Ito; Doan, Sano, Tanaka and Nakamura; then Kubo, Tanimura and Yuito Suzuki in attack.
