Japan’s national team coach, Alberto Zaccheroni, has announced the 23-man squad that will represent Japan in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The Italian tactician has selected a blend of experienced players and rising talents to compete in Group C against Colombia, Greece, and Ivory Coast.
Key players included in the squad are:
- Keisuke Honda (AC Milan, Italy)
- Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United, England)
- Yuto Nagatomo (Inter Milan, Italy)
The squad features a mix of players from domestic clubs in Japan and overseas-based players, with representatives from leagues across Europe including the Bundesliga, Premier League, and Serie A.
Here’s Japan’s 23-man squad for the World Cup:
Goalkeepers:
- Eiji Kawashima (Standard Liège, Belgium)
- Shusaku Nishikawa (Urawa Reds)
- Shuichi Gonda (FC Tokyo)
Defenders:
- Masahiko Inoha (Jubilo Iwata)
- Yasuyuki Konno (Gamba Osaka)
- Yuto Nagatomo (Inter Milan, Italy)
- Masato Morishige (FC Tokyo)
- Atsuto Uchida (Schalke 04, Germany)
- Maya Yoshida (Southampton, England)
- Hiroki Sakai (Hanover, Germany)
- Gotoku Sakai (Stuttgart, Germany)
Midfielders:
- Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka)
- Makoto Hasebe (Nuremberg, Germany)
- Toshihiro Aoyama (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
- Hotaru Yamaguchi (Cerezo Osaka)
Forwards:
- Keisuke Honda (AC Milan, Italy)
- Yoshito Okubo (Kawasaki Frontale)
- Shinji Okazaki (Mainz, Germany)
- Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United, England)
- Hiroshi Kiyotake (Nuremberg, Germany)
- Yoichiro Kakitani (Cerezo Osaka)
- Manabu Saito (Yokohama F Marinos)
- Yuya Osako (Munich 1860, Germany)
The selection reflects Zaccheroni’s confidence in these players’ abilities to make an impact at the World Cup and guide Japan to a successful campaign in Brazil.
Tags: Colombia, Greece, Honda, Japan, Kagawa, World Cup 2014, Squad Selection
