SAMURAI BLUE Coach Vahid HALILHODZIC announced his 23-man squad on 5 November for their fifth fixture of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Asian Qualifiers Round 2 against Singapore (on 12th in Singapore) and the sixth fixture against Cambodia (on 17th in Phnom Penh). The Japan coach named forward KANAZAKI Mu (Kashima Antlers) and HAYASHI Akihiro (Sagan Tosu) for the first time under his reign. "We will end (the year) with two wins," said Halilhodzic.

While regular faces such as midfielder KAGAWA Shinji (Borussia Dortmund) and forward HONDA Keisuke (AC Milan) were called up, six players were replaced from the roster for the fourth qualifying match against Syria on 8 October.

Kanazaki was called up for the first time in five years and Hayashi joins his first national team activity since September of last year. U-22 National Team captain midfielder ENDO Wataru (Shonan Bellmare), defenders SAKAI Hiroki (Hannover 96) and MARUYAMA Yuichi (F.C. Tokyo) came back to the team for the first time since September this year. Defender FUJIHARU Hiroki (Gamba Osaka) was named after a while since he was called for the EAFF East Asian Cup 2015 in August.

Meanwhile forward MINAMINO Takumi (Salzburg) and midfielder KASHIWAGI Yosuke (Urawa Reds) were selected again, after their first call-up in the last camp.....

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