"Lee Kang-in - 亞 Supernova Forewarned to Cross Kubo" Japanese national team coach also praised "a player who will take responsibility for the future." → The youngest ever debut of "Samurai Blue" appears

"Lee Kang-in - 亞 Supernova Forewarned to Cross Kubo" Japanese national team coach also praised "a player who will take responsibility for the future." → The youngest ever debut of "Samurai Blue" appears

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Coach Hajime Moriyasu also praised the talent that surprised Japan.

Japan's Higashi Spo Web reported on the 2nd (Korea time) that "Moriyasu mentioned 15-year-old player Maki Kitahara who made his debut in FC Tokyo."

Winger Kitahara, born in 2009, is one of the most surprising talents in the Japanese soccer community in recent years. Kitahara, who was called up from the U-15 (under-15) team in February to the senior team, was on the bench list against Nagoya on February 26. In the fourth round against Kashima, he made his debut as a substitute, making his Japanese first division debut at the age of just 15. On Kitahara's debut, Japanese media admired, saying, "It is surprising that a junior high school student will play in the first division."

Kitahara's debut was attributed to Japan's revitalization of the home-grown system. "Home-grown" refers to a player whose total number of days registered in a particular club's first- to fourth-class teams is more than 990 days (three seasons) during the period from the year of his 12th birthday to the year of his 21st birthday. The J-League requires the registration of "home-grown" players at least a set number of players, with four in the first division and two in the second and third divisions in the 2025 season.

Kitahara, who was put on the substitution list through Homegrown, joined the team in the 38th minute of the second half in a fourth round match against Kashima to set the record of becoming the youngest player to play in the J-League (15 years, 7 months and 22 days). The previous record was set by Takayuki Morimoto at 15 years, 10 months and 6 days. He also broke the record set by Takefusa Kubo (aged 16 years, 5 months and 22 days), who was the youngest record holder for the club.

Another person who watched Kitahara's debut was Moriyasu Hajime, the head coach of the Japanese national team. Hajime, who watched Kitahara's debut match in person, praised Kitahara, saying, "It's really cool to have a 15-year-old player play in J1. He will take responsibility for the future of Japan and the future of Tokyo and I think he is a great player."

Hadjime has already decided to select Kubo for the national team, who was only 18 years old. Since his selection, Kubo has steadily increased his chances to play, establishing himself as the best talent in the Japanese national team. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he was the only player born in the 2000s who played for the Japanese national team. If Kitahara recognizes his talent from coach Hajime, he can expect to join the national team as quickly as Kubo. 스포츠토토

However, it is not easy for Kitahara's talent to be selected for the Japanese national team right away. The most competitive position in the Japanese national team is the winger with European players, including Kubo. In order for Kitahara to be able to compete with them, it is most important to play consistently from this season.