There were headline omissions and selections as Hajime Moriyasu announced his Japan World Cup squad on Friday, with Kaoru Mitoma missing out, but Wataru Endo and Takehiro Tomiyasu both making the cut.
Veteran Yuto Nagatomo was another standout inclusion in the 26-man party, with the FC Tokyo defender offered the chance to appear at an incredible fifth finals.
Moriyasu, who steered Samurai Blue to the Round of 16 at the previous edition in Qatar in 2022, expressed disappointment at having to leave out Mitoma, but offered up his absence from last year¡¯s friendly win over Brazil as proof that Japan can still succeed without the winger.
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