As the Paris 2024 Olympics approach, the excitement builds for the men's football tournament, with Japan Under-23s set to face Paraguay Under-23s in a thrilling group-stage match.
Both teams enter the tournament with high hopes and strong histories in Olympic football. Japan, looking to build on their fourth-place finish at Tokyo 2020, brings a well-prepared squad under the guidance of head coach Go Oiwa. Meanwhile, Paraguay, returning to the Olympic stage for the first time since their silver medal at Athens 2004, aims to make a significant impact under veteran coach Carlos Jara Saguier.
Match Preview
Japan Under-23s Overview
Three years after hosting the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Japan's Under-23 team is set to begin their campaign at the Paris 2024 Games.
This marks Japan’s 11th appearance in the Olympic Games football tournament. Head coach Go Oiwa aims to lead Japan to their first football medal since 1968, when they won bronze in Mexico City.
The team qualified for Paris 2024 by winning the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup, securing six victories out of seven matches, including a final win against Uzbekistan.
Japan has recently engaged in two friendly matches, securing a 2-0 win against the USA and a 1-1 draw with France. These matches have helped the team refine their strategies and prepare for the competitive Olympic stage.
Paraguay Under-23s Overview
Paraguay is making their third appearance in the Men's Olympic Football Tournament, the first since winning a silver medal at Athens 2004.
Under veteran coach Carlos Jara Saguier, Paraguay qualified for Paris 2024 by finishing first at the CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament, ahead of Argentina and Brazil.
In preparation for the Olympics, Paraguay played two warm-up matches, suffering a 4-1 defeat to France and drawing 2-2 with Ukraine.
Despite these mixed results, Paraguay remains a strong contender, with a history of advancing to the knockout stages in their previous Olympic appearances.
Team News
Japan Under-23s
Japan's selection for the Olympics has been challenging due to restrictions on European-based players, with no overaged players in the squad.
Key players include central striker Mao Hosoya and midfielder Joel Chima Fujita.
Paraguay Under-23s
Paraguay’s lineup features a mix of experience and young talent, with Brighton’s Julio Enciso expected to play a crucial role in the attack.
The team also includes 36-year-old goalkeeper Gatito Fernandez and centre-back Fabian Balbuena.
Match Prediction
Both Japan and Paraguay have shown potential in their recent matches and have strong lineups for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Japan’s recent friendly results and cohesive team performance give them a slight edge.
However, Paraguay’s historical success and strong attacking lineup suggest a tightly contested match.
Japan 
Paraguay 
