Indonesia national team center-back Justin Hubner has started against Japan, this Wednesday, in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup group stage.
The 20 years old plays for the Wolverhamption Under-21, and with the change of rule of foreigners in the Saudi Professional League, he could a good young defender to include, by a team like Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq, as part of the 2 foreigner players born after 2003 allowed in the league.
Hubner, and despite not behaving in the right way with his clearance against the strong opposing shot of Ayase, he has delivered a strong display in such a young age and against a team stacked with offensive talents.
Hubner has imposed himself in the game as a tough man in the physical duels against the Japanese players, but he came up short against the very short and agile Takefusa Kubo, as the height and weight difference can become a liability to catch such profiles.
Hubner has anticipated and made a quick interception in one of the Japanese counter-attacks to stop Ayase from reaching the pass.
He should though think more about preventing balls from reaching the box, like in the action in which he has focused too much on stopping Reo Hatate, but the latter was able to snitch the pass to Doan in the goalscoring area.
Hubner has shown good positioning in one of the set-pieces by making a clearance off-line to block the header of Doan.
He has shown courage in getting out of his position all the way to intercept passes in the midfield and carry the ball forward.
On-ball, his long passes and switches of play allowed his team to advance their block at times against the high press of Japan.
Ritsu Doan vs Indonesia: Great Combinations, Poor Final Shot / Scout Report
Keito Nakamura vs Indonesia: Wide Over-loader, Inaccurate Cross-Shooter / Scout Report
Seiya Maikuma vs Indonesia: Sudden Runs in Behind, Imposing in Counter-Press / Scout Report
Image Credits: @SPL & @SPL_EN on X.
Saudi World Football 
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