Veteran Japanese goalkeeper Kawashima passes on his experience to young teammates

The 36-year-old goalkeeper stands out among the young Japanese team brought to Brazil for a second appearance as a Copa America guest. Alongside veteran Shinji Okazaki, 33, Kawashima is a rarity in this team of 23 men whose average age is 22 years old.

In fact, when coach Hajime Moriyasu named his team of 23 players last month, he only had six players for having already won a Japanese cap. Kawashima and Okazaki have nearly four times more selections than the other 21 players.

But the Strasbourg punch does not take his selection for granted with young couples Keisuke Osako (21) and Riosuke Kojima (22) try their luck. Even if he does not play, Kawashima is ready to help anyone who has to stand between the poles for the Blue Samurai.

"I try to tell them about my experience.It is also important for Japanese football that young goaltenders gain more experience," he told AFP. "We will see the course and the type of decision made by the coach, but I will try to contribute to my team."

– & # 39; Japanese Messi & # 39; –

The main goal of Japan at this tournament is to gain experience for its under-23 team that will represent the country at its country's Olympic Games in Tokyo next year. Takefusa Kubo, a teenage girl, is part of their team.

The "Japanese Messi", as it is called, was signed for Real Madrid on Friday. The 18-year-old, who has already figured in Barcelona's books, only made his international debut last month in a 2-0 win over El Salvador.

And despite their inexperience, Japan is aiming high. "This young group needs experience, so Okazaki and I tried to give the group experience because it's a tough tournament," Kawashima said.

He certainly has extensive experience in the French, Belgian and Scottish divisions since arriving in Europe in 2010. He was also part of the Japanese team that won the Asian Cup in 2011 and finished second in Qatar. . United Arab Emirates earlier this year.

He also competed in three World Cup tournaments, with Japan reaching the round of 16 in 2010 and last year.

– looking for experience –

Japan wants to improve its only previous result at Copa, where it suffered two defeats and a draw in Paraguay in 1999 when it was eliminated from the group stages. "Of course, we are going to look for the title, but we come with young players and our first goal is to get more experience for young players," Kawashima said.

"But we represent the Japanese national team, so we will try to do our best to qualify ourselves among the group." Japan faces a difficult demand with the Chilean champion, Uruguay and Ecuador, 15 times winners, in Group C.

"They have more experience than us as teams and as a country to participate in this great tournament, but I think we have to work hard." That (the lack of experience) will be the biggest fight for us and the young players, "says Kawashima.

Since non-South American teams have been invited for the first time to take part in Copa, none have ever won, although Mexico has twice reached the final. Kawashima said, "I'm not aware, but we'll do our best and we'll see."