The Japan U-20 (Japan National Under-20 Football Team) is Japan's national association football team for players under the age of 20, and it is overseen by the Japan Football Union.
History[]
First organized in 1979, the Japan U-20 represents Japan in the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Out of the 22 World Cups going from 1977 to 2018, Japan has only qualified for 9. Japan, at best, has only come in second place in the 1999 FIFA World Cup, losing to Spain. They most commonly make the Top 16.
After losing in the Top 16 in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Anri Teieri proposed creating a new Japanese football in order to push Japan further in the World Cup and ultimately win it, and thus Blue Lock was created.
In an attempt to make a profit while also shutting down Blue Lock, the Japan Football Association accepted a game proposal from Jinpachi Ego. The Japan U-20 will face off against the Blue Lock Eleven, and after defeating them, they will shut down the program, proving it is unrealistic. However, if they lose the match, Blue Lock will completely replace U-20. With their defeat at the hands of the evolved Blue Lock players, the Japan U-20 team is now under Blue Lock's control, as even more of it's evolved members will be chosen to represent Japan in the upcoming U-20 World Cup after the success of Blue Lock's final selection: the Neo Egoist League.
After the Neo Egoist League concluded, the top 23 players with the highest rankings, based on the bids received during the final selections, were chosen as official players for the upcoming U-20 World Cup, which is now confirmed to take place in Japan. In addition to the 23 selected players, there is also a hidden rule that allows three more players to join the U-20 national team as the Buratsuta 3 through a selection project known as Side-B, planned by Hirotoshi Buratsuta. However, in exchange, the soccer careers of these players will be completely controlled by him while playing to prove that Jinpachi Ego's methods were wrong. The only exception is Sae Itoshi, who is already confirmed to be one of them without having to go through any selection process and still retains freedom in his career. Despite this hidden rule, excluding Sae Itoshi, Ego asserts he will prevent the two reinstated "Locked-Off" players from joining, as he believes they do not possess the skills of the current Blue Lock players and will not succeed in the U-20 World Cup.
Uniform[]
The former Japan U-20 uniforms consist of a white jersey with dynamic red stripes that have their player number, their team association, the Japanese flag, and white shorts with red stripes at the bottom of the shorts. All the U-20 wear black shirts under their jerseys and gloves as well.
The new Japan U-20 uniform is an updated Blue Lock Eleven uniform with the Japanese flag on upper left chest. The alternative color is white.
Abilities[]
Former Team[]
The Japan U-20's defense is made up of 3 stages:
- Haru Hayate pressures the opposition the moment they are in possession, forcing a pass. Itsuki Wakatsuki backed it up.
- The Iron Wall Quartet, made up of Oliver Aiku, Kazuma Nio, Miroku Darai, and Teppei Neru, tighten up their defense and guard their designated zones, leaving no weak spots.
- Whenever the opposition gets a certain distance to the goal, Aiku goes out to the opposition to reinforce the guard and pressure the opponent.
The Japan U-20's offense is a simple formation where the offensive midfielder, Sae Itoshi, gets the ball down the field and into the hands of the forwards, Teru Kitsunezato, Kento Cho and Shuto Sendo. The forwards are passed the ball and usually take a shot once in possession.
U-20 World Cup[]
The new and improved Japan U-20 has a soccer style that fuses strategic coordination of intellects with an egotistical finish. Isagi Yoichi serves as the core of the team, reading the situation and formulating plans with Reo Mikage and Tabito Karasu quickly filling the gaps as the brains in the midfield. Their defense consists of Oliver Aiku, Jyubei Aryu and Ikki Niko. When the opposing team has the ball, Aiku and Aryu pressure the opposing player, while Niko fills in any gaps in their defense. Tabito Karasu initiates the counterattack. Gin Gagamaru becomes the new starting goalkeeper, serving as the team's guardian. There is no specific central striker in the team as the players compete as well in scoring their own goals. This makes difficult for opponent's team in determining who's gonna score.
Formations[]
U-20 Arc[]
U-20 World Cup[]
VS Nigeria U-20
VS France U-20
Members[]
U-20 Arc[]
Starting XI
Reserves
Faculty
U-20 World Cup[]
Players
Faculty
List of Matches[]
U-20 Arc[]
- Japan U-20 vs Blue Lock Eleven (3 - 4) [Lose]
U-20 World Cup[]
Group Stage
- Japan U-20 vs Nigeria U-20 (4 - 0) [Win]
- Japan U-20 vs France U-20 (0 - 1) [Ongoing]
- Japan U-20 vs England U-20 (? - ?)
Players Stats[]
U-20 Arc[]
| Stats | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player | Goals | Assists |
| Ryusei Shido | 2 | 0 |
| Sae Itoshi | 1 | 1 |
U-20 World Cup[]
| Stats | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player | Goals | Assists |
| Meguru Bachira | 1 | 3 |
| Reo Mikage | 1 | 0 |
| Rin Itoshi | 1 | 0 |
| Yoichi Isagi | 1 | 1 |
Trivia[]
- In real life, Japan lost 0-1 against South Korea in the round of 16, during the U-20 World Cup in Poland.
- From the 23 players initially called up to play the U-20 World Cup, Gen Fukaku is the only one that is not known to have played as a forward before.