Japan announces 23-man squad for 2014 FIFA World Cup

Japan's national football coach Alberto Zaccheroni Monday announced a 23-member squad for the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil

Japan's national football coach Alberto Zaccheroni Monday announced a 23-member squad for the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

The squad includes stars like Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa, AC Milan's Keisuke Honda, Inter Milan defender Yuto Nagatomo and in-form Mainz striker Shinji Okazaki, reports Xinhua.

Shinji Kagawa. Pic/ AFP

However, it was surprise that Yoshito Okubo, a veteran striker, also made the cut.

Since Zaccheroni took charge of the Japanese team in 2010, the 31-year-old player has only been called up once by the Italian coach.

The Asian champions will play their final warm-up in Japan against Cyprus in Saitama May 27 before heading to the United States for a training camp. They are scheduled to arrive in Brazil June 7.

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