Japanese footballer Santomaru has not been selected for the upcoming friendly match, as revealed in the squad announcement. The decision came as a surprise to many fans and pundits. The reason behind the coach’s decision and its implications for Santomaru's future with the team are yet to be fully understood.

In Japan, football is one of the major sports that generates a lot of public interest. Moreover, team selection for national and international fixtures, especially-a friendly match, features prominently in Japanese sports news. The inclusion or exclusion of a player like Santomaru, who has probably been influential in the past, can spark widespread discussion and speculation among fans and media alike.

Likewise in the US or EU, soccer team announcements are often subject to great scrutiny. Any major changes in the lineup, particularly regarding well-known players, are widely debated and can cause controversy. Just like in Japan, the sports media in the U.S. or EU breaks down such decisions and tries to figure out what it may mean for the future of the team or player.