[Japan National Soccer Team FW Junya Ito]”To protect Junya Ito” during the blank seven months… “He contacted me every time”[Column](Excerpt from FOOTBALL ZONE)

In the final qualifying match for the World Cup against China… Junya Ito After the match, Junya Ito appeared in the mixed zone after seven months of playing for the national team, with a gentle expression, perhaps relieved. I have covered Ito since he joined the Japanese national team, but this was the first time I have seen him so quietly savoring his joy. On January 31st, the round of 16 match against Bahrain in the Asian Cup started in such an unusual atmosphere. Although Japan won 3-1 with three goals from Ritsu Doan, Kubo, and Ayase Ueda, the mixed zone after the match had media more interested in Ito than in congratulating the victory. Usually, people only gather around Ito when he scores. In fact, in the third group league match against Indonesia on January 24th, Ito was brought on in the 41st minute of the second half, and although he was involved in the goal that was scored three minutes later, only one person in the mixed zone was able to stop him. For Ito and for coach Moriyasu, the big game was the Stade de Reims tour of Japan from July 24th to August 3rd. Ito will be the highlight of the match, but will he be warmly received by the crowd? Or how will the media react? (Extract from FOOTBALL ZONE) https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/2b5a2aa768c2ca60cbeb3f4c71e31a0082380118?page=3 #JapanNationalFootballTeam