Captain Ritsu Doan guides Japan to Kirin Cup glory in Tokyo
Ritsu Doan was the hero as Japan won the friendly tournament Kirin Cup in front of their home fans. The 28-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt winger led by example as he scored the winner against New Zealan...
Captain Ritsu Doan led Japan to Kirin Cup victory in Tokyo. The 28-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt winger scored the winning goal against New Zealand in the final, marking his heroics as Japan triumphed in the friendly tournament held at their home ground. Joining Doan in the victorious squad were Hiroki Ito, Kaishu Sano, Kento Shiogai, Satoshi Tanaka, Yuito Suzuki, and Keisuke Goto, all representing Japan in the four-team competition.
The Kirin Cup, a tournament initiated by the Kirin Brewery Company, features clubs from Japan, the Czech Republic, and Peru. This is the third edition of the Kirin Cup since its inception in 1978, when Borussia Mönchengladbach and Palmeiras claimed the inaugural title. Werder Bremen added two more victories to their collection in 1982 and 1986, with the tournament running uninterrupted for the first 11 years.
Japan's triumph in Tokyo followed their defeats in the previous two finals, held in 2016 and 2022. The hosts previously emerged victorious in 2012, when the competition was contested by Japan, the Czech Republic, and Peru.
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