Three Japanese players contracted Covid-19 before the Asian U23 semi-final

On June 12th, the Japanese team found two players with fever. Later test results showed that they were all infected with Covid-19. Japan tested the remaining members and found two more cases: a player and a member of the coaching staff.

Under rules in host country Uzbekistan, players infected with Covid-19 must be quarantined for treatment. Three Japanese players will not be able to resume their semi-finals in time.

Japan is also taking additional measures to control the number of infections. All players must stay in their rooms and limit close contact.

A representative of the Japanese Football Association said: "We will do our best to recover infected members, prevent infection and pay attention to everyone's safety."

In the 2022 Asian U23 Championship, Japan sent U21 team to participate. After finishing second in Group D with seven points after three games, head coach Go Oiwa's army beat South Korea 3-0 in the quarter-finals.

On June 15th, Japan will face host Uzbekistan in the second semi-final. Uzbekistan beat Iraq on penalties in the quarter-finals.

In the other semi-final, Saudi Arabia will face Australia. In the quarter-finals, Saudi Arabia beat Vietnam 2-0 and Australia beat Turkmenistan 1-0.