January 4 – One of Japan’s most important players at the forthcoming Asian Cup, Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, wants the tournament shifted to the end of the domestic season in Europe.
The Asian Cup runs from January 12 to February 10 and will impact on a string of big-name players in terms of missing club fixtures.
The tournament has been played in the same slot for over a decade but Arsenal could be without Tomiyasu for six games in all competitions if Japan go all the way to the final in Qatar.
“I want the Asian Cup to be played in June, the same as the Euros,” Tomiyasu said in a newspaper interview.
“I don’t know why we are playing in January – not only the Asian Cup but the African Cup of Nations as well. It’s not good for the players. But it is what it is and I will really try to come back with the title.”
The Asian Cup had originally been scheduled for the Summer of 2023 in China but the Chinese pulled out of hosting18 months before the finals citing covid issues.
The AFC then re-ran its bid process which Qatar won but which necessitated a move of dates both for planning and organisational reasons as well as to avoid the heat of the Qatari summer.
The 2027 Asian Cup will held in Saudi Arabia and would have similar issues in regard to extreme summer heat if played in June and July.
Japan are bidding for a record-extending fifth Asian Cup crown and kick off their campaign on January 14 against Vietnam, before taking on Iraq and Indonesia in Group D. 21 of their 26 player squad play their club football in Europe.
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