Endo race against time for Japan-Netherlands opener

Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu is hopeful key midfielder Wataru Endo will be fit for the World Cup opener against the Netherlands. Endo's availability could be decisive for Japan's chances in their first group-stage match. Moriyasu told reporters Sunday that the medical staff say the midfielder is on schedule in his recovery (1). The Liverpool man is a linchpin in Japan's system, bringing the tactical discipline and defensive cover that the team has built its identity around during a dominant qualifying campaign. His presence in the lineup would significantly boost Japan's hopes of challenging an established European heavyweight and fuelling talk of a deep tournament run.

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Japanese supporters are frustrated by what they see as uneven treatment before the tournament has even begun, with the federation having raised concerns about training facilities and an unrelated incident involving an Iraqi player detained at the airport highlighting broader governance issues. Read more on Reddit