Wataru Endo captained Japan to a 7-0 victory over China in World Cup qualifying and likewise netted a objective.
Endo has performed only one minute of Premier League soccer this season, having been changed by Ryan Gravenberch in Arne Slot‘s beginning XI.
However the Liverpool midfielder stays an integral a part of Japan’s nationwide crew. He has been carrying the captain’s armband for his nation since June 2023 and continues to be a stalwart within the beginning lineup.
On Thursday, Endo began Japan’s first sport of the September worldwide break in opposition to China and performed a key position in serving to his nation get off to a very good begin.
After simply 12 minutes, Endo headed the ball into the again of the online from a Japan nook to open the scoring, with Brighton‘s Kaoru Mitoma including a second objective earlier than half-time.
Former Liverpool attacker Takumi Minamino accomplished a quickfire brace to double Japan’s benefit.
Junya Ito and Daizen Maeda then boosted the rating additional to make it a 6-0 earlier than Takefusa Kubo netted one other late on within the sport to finish the beating.
By then Endo was already sitting on the bench. The Liverpool midfielder performed 71 minutes earlier than being changed by Ao Tanaka.
He received three of his six duels and accomplished 84 p.c of his passes in keeping with FotMob.
This was Japan’s opening sport of World Cup qualifying. They may face Bahrain subsequent on September 10 earlier than a far greater problem in opposition to Saudi Arabia and Australia within the October worldwide break.
Solely the highest two international locations from Japan’s group will qualify routinely to the 2026 World Cup. In the meantime the third-placed crew should take part in intercontinental playoffs.
Endo will probably be hoping to have performed extra minutes at Liverpool by October. Slot has made it clear the Japanese midfielder continues to be in his plans.
With video games arising thick and quick following the September worldwide break, Endo will definitely be wanted as Liverpool embark on a difficult interval.
Elsewhere, Liverpool children Trey Nyoni and Carter Pinnington began in England U18s’ 2-2 draw with Portugal.
Nyoni netted England’s second objective, whereas Pinnington was concerned within the buildup to the Younger Lions’ opening objective.
Subsequent up on the worldwide itinerary will probably be Liverpool quartet Conor Bradley (Northern Eire vs. Luxembourg), Diogo Jota (Portugal vs. Croatia), Andy Robertson (Scotland vs. Poland) and Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina vs. Chile) in motion on Thursday evening.
