Japan has their 18-man squad set to lead them into Paris for this summer’s Olympics after Go Oiwa combed through the extraordinary depth of talent to choose the best U-23 team for the Samurai Blue’s pursuit of gold.

Oiwa, who played in the J.League for 15 years and previously managed Kashima Antlers, chose a team that includes 12 current J.League players. Four more stars began their professional careers with J.League clubs, while another is a product of a J.League academy.

Oiwa also opted not to include any of the three permitted overage players in his team, showcasing the #NextGenJLEAGUE and #MadeInJLEAGUE talent that has flown through the domestic league.

In terms of club representation, FC Tokyo, Kashiwa Reysol and FC Machida Zelvia lead the way, each sending two players to the Olympics.

Ryotaro Araki, on loan at FCT from Kashima, has been a star in J1 this season and a leading man for the U-23 team all year. He’ll be joined by club teammate Taishi Brandon Nozawa, who is in the mix to start in goal for the Samurai Blue.

Mao Hosoya is a leading man at Reysol and is expected to play the same role in Paris, while fellow Reysol man Hiroki Sekine is one of the best young defenders in the country.

Zelvia have been the surprise team of the J.League season, racing to the top of the J1 table in their first top flight season. Shota Fujio has been at the heart of that, with a team-leading eight goals, and Japan will hope he shows that form at the Olympics as well, while Yu Hirakawa can join him up front.

Joel Chima Fujita, who starred at Yokohama F·Marinos before going to Sint-Truiden in Belgium, has worn the armband for the U-23’s in recent matches is expected to play a central role in Paris. His STVV teammate and former Tokyo Verdy and Gamba Osaka man Rihito Yamamoto could very well partner him in the midfield, having done so at the AFC U-23 Asian Cup that qualified the Samurai Blue for the Olympics.

Expectations are sky high for the Samurai Blue with so many rising stars due to be present at the Olympics. They’ll open the tournament on July 24 against Paraguay before playing Mali three days later and finishing Group D action on July 30 against Israel.