Japan were the first team to qualify for South Africa 2010, these are 23 players who could be chosen to play at the World Cup. This is the Japanese squad I believe has the best chance of success at the 2010 World Cup.
First 11
GK Seigo Narazaki captain, Club- Nagoya Grampus, Age at World Cup (AWC) 34. Made his international debut against Australia in February 1998.
RB. Atsuto Uchida, Club- Kashima Antlers, (AWC) 22. Is the youngest Japanese goalscorer in a World Cup qualification match.
CB. Marcus Tulio Tanaka, Club- Urawa Red Diamonds, (AWC) 29. Was born in Sao Paulo and lived in Brazil until he was fifteen.
CB. Yuji Nakazawa, Club- Yokohama F. Marinos, (AWC) 32. As an eighteen year old he trained with Brazilian club America for a year to improve as a footballer.
LB. Michihiro Yasuda, Club- Gamba Osaka, (AWC) 22.
RM. Shunsuke Nakamura, Club- Espanyol, (AWC) 31. Is the first Japanese player to score in the Champions League.
CM. Makoto Hasebe, Club- Vfl Wolfsburg, (AWC) 26. Plays for the 2008/2009 season Bundesliga champions.
Mid. Keisuke Honda, Club- VVV-Venlo, (AWC) 23.
LM. Daisuke Matsui, Club- Grenoble, (AWC) 29.
ST. Takayuki Morimoto, Club- Catania, (AWC) 22. Holds the record for being the youngest Japanese player to make his professional debut and the youngest goalscorer in J-league history.
ST. Shinji Okazaki, Club- Shimizu S-Pulse, (AWC) 24.
Subs
GK Ryota Tsuzuki, Club- Urawa Red Diamonds, (AWC) 32.
GK Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, Club- Jubilo Iwata, (AWC) 34. Played for Japan at the 1998 and 2006 World Cups.
CB Shuhei Terada, Club- Kawasaki Frontale, (AWC) 34. Made his debut for the national team at age 32.
Def Daiki Iwamasa, Club- Kashima Antlers, (AWC) 28.
RB Yuto Nagatomo, Club- FC Tokyo, (AWC) 23. Can also play as a center back or left back.
LWB Yuichi Komano, Club- Jubilo Iwata, (AWC) 28. Can also play on the right side of defence.
CM Yasuhito Endo, Club- Gamba Osaka, (AWC) 30. Can play as an attacking midfielder or defensive midfielder with equal effectness.
CM Kengo Nakamura, Club- Kawasaki Frontale, (AWC) 29. Can also play as an attacking or defensive midfielder.
RM Junichi Inamoto, Club- Rennes, (AWC) 30. Can also play in the center of midfield.
LW Shinji Ono, Club- Vfl Bochum, (AWC) 30. Played for Japan at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cup.
ST. Atsushi Yanagisawa, Club- Kyoto Sanga F.C., (AWC) 33. Was the most prolific Japanese player in the 2008 J-league season scoring 14 goals.
ST. Sho Ito, Club- Grenoble, (AWC) 21. Impressed in a trial at Arsenal in 2006 however his work permit application fell through preventing any potential move to the club.
The Coach
This is Takeshi Okada second spell in charge of the Japan national team. His first spell as national team manager included the 1998 World Cup where Japan lost all three of their games. Okada has also coached Japanese clubs Consadole Sapporo and Yokohama F. Marinos.
Japan's strengths
As a whole Japanese players have a high level of technical ability. Most of the midfielders chosen can play in at least two positions. With South Africa being the fourth World Cup Japan has qualified for in a row many of the Japanese players have the experience of playing at a World Cup.
Japan's weakness
Like South Korea, Japan has a lack of players regularly facing European club quality opposition regularly. Japan also lacks a prolific goal scorer.
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