The Japan Football Association has announced a late change to its squad for the upcoming East Asian Cup, bringing in Naoyuki Fujita in place of Yosuke Kashiwagi.
Urawa Reds midfielder Kashiwagi had to be substituted after picking up an injury in his team’s 1-1 draw against Ventforet Kofu on Wednesday.
The news led the JFA to call Sagan Tosu’s Fujita his maiden international call-up as Kashiwagi’s replacement on Thursday.
Fujita has served as Sagan’s captain since 2012 and was been handed the No. 8 shirt for the Samurai Blue, who hope to defend their East Asian Cup title in Wuhan, China from August 2 to 8.