U23 Singapore brings Japanese-origin player to Vietnam

Japanese-born player Junki Yoshimura is expected to join U23 Singapore to cause a surprise in the 2026 U23 Asian qualifiers taking place in Vietnam.

Japanese-origin player Junki Yoshimura - Photo: VFF

On the evening of September 1, U23 Singapore arrived in Phu Tho to prepare for the 2026 U23 Asian qualifiers. The list of the team going to Vietnam has 24 players, notably the presence of Japanese-origin player Junki Yoshimura.

Junki Yoshimura was born in 2004 in Singapore and is currently playing for Albirex Niigata in the Singapore Premier League. He can play as a defender and midfielder and has won two national championships and one national super cup.

U23 Singapore is led by coach Firdaus Kassim. The team registered for the 2026 AFC U23 Championship qualifiers with a very young squad, with 11 players of the U20 age group.

Among them, in addition to Japanese-born player Junki Yoshimura, there are three other notable players currently training in Portugal, including midfielder Muhammad Asis (2004), striker Jonan Tan (2006) and striker Khairin Nadim (2004). All three are currently playing for the Vizela Club and for the U23 team.

U23 Singapore is the latest team to arrive in Vietnam compared to U23 Bangladesh and U23 Yemen. The Lion Island team only has one day to prepare for the qualifying round (September 2), before playing their opening match on September 3 against U23 Yemen.

Before coming to Vietnam, U23 Singapore had undergone a training trip in Portugal in August. Coach Kassim and his team also achieved positive results in recent friendly matches: a draw with U23 Philippines and a win against U23 Malaysia.

With a young squad, including three players trained in Europe and one player of Japanese origin, U23 Singapore promises to be a challenge for opponents in Group C of the 2026 U23 Asia qualifiers.

U23 Singapore will meet U23 Yemen, U23 Vietnam and U23 Bangladesh on September 3, 6 and 9 at Viet Tri Stadium.

U23 Singapore is welcomed in Viet Tri - Photo: VFF

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/u23-singapore-mang-cau-thu-goc-nhat-ban-den-viet-nam-20250901224925102.htm