Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni called up five new players for a friendly against Iceland next week in preparation for a World Cup qualifier later this month.
"I called up those who have never been named before because... they have the potential to represent Japan in the future," the Italian coach told reporters on Friday.
Japan's Europe-based players, led by CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda and Borussia Dortmund striker Shinji Kagawa, cannot be obliged to play for the national side in friendlies and so are absent for the Iceland match.
The new players were Vegalta Sendai, goalkeeper Takuto Hayashi, midfielders Ryota Isomura (Nagoya Grampus) and Gaku Shibasaki (Kashima Antlers), along with forwards Hidetaka Kanazono (Jubilo Iwata) and Yuya Kubo (Kyoto Sanga). (AFP)
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