Football: Moriyasu begins ringing changes as Japan seek new heights

Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu introduced new faces and tactical tweaks in a 1-1 home draw with Uruguay on Friday as the Samurai Blue began their journey toward the 2026 World Cup football finals.

Leaving out veteran World Cup defenders Maya Yoshida, Yuto Nagatomo and Hiroki Sakai altogether, it was a fresh-looking four-man defense that began the game at National Stadium, with right-back Yukinari Sugawara impressing in particular.

The AZ Alkmaar defender, who moved from Nagoya Grampus to the Netherlands in 2019 after just a handful of J-League appearances, has established himself in the Eredivi...