Japan made headlines over the recent international break by becoming the first men’s Asian team to defeat England. From an England perspective, the victory was all too comfortable for Japan, as the three lions were frustrated both in build-up and in front of goal. However, the tactical brilliance of Japan in this match cannot be ignored, with 3 talking points of note from Japan’s gameplan and execution.

Ayase Ueda has quietly been taking the Eredivisie by storm this season. His poacher’s instinct and style of play draw similarities to Italian legend Filippo Inzaghi, who had the knack for being in the right place at the right time. However, his sudden blistering form raises the question of whether he is as good as his numbers suggest, or just a one season wonder.

The Japanese midfielder looks set to leave Crystal Palace as a free agent at the end of the 25/26 season alongside his manager, Oliver Glasner. On the face of it, losing a 29-year-old free-agent signing who earns the highest wages at the club seems reasonable, as some may argue that finances could be better reinvested elsewhere. However, his influence during his two years at the club has perhaps gone under the radar and should not be underestimated.