Arguably these two catalysts play an important role in generating interest during the build up to a tournament, and Nadeshiko Japan have not disappointed in this regard. But how much of an impact will the final selection have on their performance on the big stage?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Futoshi Ikeda has named his 23 player squad that will head to Australia & New Zealand next month for the ninth edition of FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup. Surprisingly this far out, this is a final cut selection that will only be altered should an injury arise before the side departs for its New Zealand base camp mid-July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Big league stars such as Manchester City’s Yui Hasegawa, Liverpool\u2019s Fuka Nagano and Portland Thorns’ Hina Sugita are all present and correct, no surprises there. Angel City\u2019s dynamic attacker Jun Endo also makes the cut, despite suffering a late injury scare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The former Urawa Reds defender\u2019s unwavering faith in youth remains intact as three members of his 2022 U20 World Cup squad are set to make an appearance on the big stage. Sturdy centre-back Rion Ishikawa, ferocious forward Aoba Fujino and Hammarby by-way-of Chelsea attacker Maika Hamano have all been deemed capable and ready for their first taste of a major tournament at senior level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n