Japan seeks Euro-based players

Tokyo: The Japan Football Association (JFA) has confirmed that it has requested the release of some players from European clubs for the September 2 FIFA World Cup qualifier against DPR Korea.

The match will be held at the Saitama Stadium and opens Asian champions Japan’s quest for a place in the 2014 Brazil FIFA World Cup final round of qualifying.

Coach Alberto Zaccheroni is likely to announce the squad next Thursday.

Letters have been sent to European clubs asking for the release of several players, including Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa and Arsenal's teenage striker Ryo Miyaichi, CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda, Inter Milan defender Yuto Nagatomo and Bayern Munich striker Takashi Usami.

Also in Japan’s group are Central Asians Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Afc.com