Zion Suzuki, Japan’s United States-born goalkeeper, shines at the World Cup | OneFootball

Born in the United States to a Japanese mother and an American father of Ghanaian origin, Zion Suzuki announced himself on the World Cup stage in Japan’s 2-2 draw with the Netherlands. According to L'Équipe, Japan meet Tunisia overnight from Saturday to Sunday at six hours.

That Group F opener on Monday named Virgil Van Dijk man of the match for his header. Crysencio Summerville later scored as Suzuki, 23, was finally beaten twice.

The Parma goalkeeper delivered four crucial saves and, in club-mate Nesta Elphege’s view, is complete, quick on the deck and among Italy’s top three with Mike Maignan of AC Milan and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic at Naples.

If he maintains that form against Tunisia, then Sweden overnight from Thursday to Friday at one hour, and if Japan take their chances, they could top the group. Finishing second could bring a last-16 tie at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, near Newark, New Jersey.

The only foreign-born player in this squad, he left the country as a toddler and grew up in Japan. He started in Saitama near Tokyo, was spotted aged seven by Urawa Red Diamonds and debuted in 2021. His first senior goalkeeping coach Joan Miret says he is not aware of any racism despite the local hafu label.

He joined Saint-Trond in 2023 despite Manchester United interest, then earned a move to Parma after a solid season. The Serie A switch matched his ambition and he is still improving, with Miret believing Japan can win the World Cup with him.

Source: L'Équipe