Southampton's Matsuki could miss up to five Championship matches for Asian Cup | OneFootball

Kuryu Matsuki could miss up to five Championship matches for Southampton if he is selected by Japan for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, Daily Echo reports.

The competition runs in Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5, with 24 nations involved.

The 23-year-old earned a first senior call-up in September and scored on debut against Uruguay. His rise means a significant spell away from Tonda Eckert's side remains possible.

Japan are in Group F with two-time defending champions Qatar, Thailand and Indonesia. They open against Indonesia in Jeddah on Monday, January 11, then meet Thailand in Riyadh five days later, before finishing the group against Qatar on January 20. The top two and the four best third-placed teams advance to the round of 16.

The schedule, alongside the FA Cup third round, means Matsuki would miss the trip to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, January 16. He could also be absent at QPR on January 23 and for home games with West Brom and Preston if Japan progress. The final is on February 5, one day before a planned visit to Derby County's Pride Park, subject to TV scheduling.

Japan are four-time Asian champions, most recently in 2011. Matsuki has 18 under-23 caps and has twice won the Under-23 Asian Cup. Head coach Hajime Moriyasu will name his squad in December, so Matsuki's inclusion is not assured.

Source: Daily Echo

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