Japan forward Yuito Suzuki scored a hat-trick in the Bundesliga season opener, leading SC Freiburg to a 4-1 victory over Werder Bremen. Fellow international Ayase Ueda also found the net for the third consecutive match for Feyenoord in the Eredivisie, providing positive news for the Samurai Blue ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
How did Suzuki's hat-trick unfold?
Yuito Suzuki netted three times on August 30th against Werder Bremen. He opened his account in the 29th minute with a headed goal from a corner. His second came just three minutes into the second half, steering a cutback from the left into the net. Suzuki completed his hat-trick in the 55th minute, tapping home a square pass from teammate Igor Matanovic. His performance was instrumental for Freiburg, who are aiming to improve on their seventh-place domestic finish from last season. Suzuki was a key part of the team that reached the UEFA Europa League final last campaign.
What is the latest on Ayase Ueda?
Ayase Ueda continued his fine scoring form in the Netherlands. He scored Feyenoord's first goal in their 2-2 draw with ADO Den Haag, controlling the ball in the box before drilling a low shot through the goalkeeper's legs in the 62nd minute. This marked his third goal in as many games to start the season. According to a report in the online edition of Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, this could be his final goal for the Dutch side, as a move to French club Lille is said to be imminent. Ueda joined Feyenoord in the summer of 2023 and won the Eredivisie golden boot with 25 goals last season.
What does this mean for Japan's World Cup squad?
Both Suzuki and Ueda featured for Japan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Qatar this summer. Suzuki was substituted in the 79th minute of the Bundesliga opener by compatriot Keisuke Goto, another World Cup teammate. Ueda scored a brace in Japan's 4-0 group stage win over Tunisia. Their current club form is a significant boost for the national team's attacking options. Fans can track the full squad and upcoming match schedule on our squad and fixtures pages.
Looking ahead to the season
The strong starts for Suzuki and Ueda in their respective leagues highlight the depth of talent available to the Japan national team. Freiburg will rely on Suzuki as they push for a higher Bundesliga finish. Feyenoord faces the potential departure of Ueda, but his performances remain sharp. The national team staff will be monitoring the fitness and form of all European-based players closely, with data available on our stats page. With the club season now underway, maintaining this form until the World Cup will be the next key objective for both players.
