Of the three Ajax players who will be seen in action at the Netherlands vs Japan game at Dallas, Arlington, 2 are Japanese, including brand new captain Ko Itakura. Japan have faced an almost last minute change of plans after captain Endo Wataru couldn’t recover from the squad due to an aggravated left foot injury on Thursday (11 June) and left the Nashville, Tennessee camp speaking only to Itakura, so as to not disturb preparations. Many tears were shed when they found out given the Liverpool midfielder is much loved. But Endo announced his international retirement, handing reins to Itakura. Itakura was Ajax’s first Japanese signing ever, though many Japanese and Koreans play for Dutch clubs. The other Amsterdam-based Ajax Japanese is Takehiro Tomiyasu. For the Dutch, it’s Wout Weghorst- with enduring fame of his goal against Argentina in 2022. But when the club teammates meet at a World Cup on opposite sides, it’s always intriguing. “Of course, we’ve talked about it. Mainly in a normal and relaxed way, not really in a joking way,” …