Japan national team additionally calls up Henry Kaiki Mochizuki and Hayato Araki for Kirin Cup match against Ecuador

On the 1st, the Japanese national soccer team (ranked 17th in the world) will play against the Ecuadorian national team (ranked 25th) at Nissan Stadium in Kanagawa in the Kirin Cup, a tournament involving four countries. Due to a series of injuries to the team's defense, two additional domestic players were called up: defender Henry Kaiteru Mochizuki (FC Machida Zelvia) and defender Hayato Araki (Sanfrecce Hiroshima). Participated in practice the day before the game on September 30th.

This was Mochizuki's first representative activity since October last year. His playing time was limited at the beginning of this season's league games, but he is gradually improving. ``(In past national team activities), I was beaten defensively, so I want to show my growth in that area,'' he said.

This is Araki's first call-up since September of last year. Before the match against Venezuela in Hiroshima on the 28th, coach Hajime Moriyasu had hinted at the possibility of an additional call-up, but he did not hide his surprise, saying, ``I never thought it would turn out like this.'' ``Defense and aerial play are my strengths. I want to make sure to highlight them,'' he said enthusiastically.

Both players are not included in the squad for this year's World Cup in North and Central America. With this activity launched in preparation for the next World Cup, he is aiming to earn a spot on the national team.