On Monday Takeshi Okada is expected to announce his 23-man squad for the World Cup and with that in mind I have decided to throw in my 10 yen. Firstly I have attempted to predict his selections for the tournament, after which I have offered the team I would take.
My Prediction
Goalkeepers: Seigo Narazaki, Eiji Kawashima, Shusaku Nishikawa
Defenders: Atsuto Uchida, Yasuyuki Konno, Marcus Tulio Tanaka, Yuji Nakazawa, Daiki Iwamasa, Yuto Nagatomo, Yuichi Komano
Midfielders: Daisuke Matsui, Junichi Inamoto, Makoto Hasebe, Yasuhito Endo, Kengo Nakamura, Shunsuke Nakamura, Yoshito Okubo, Naohiro Ishikawa, Yuki Abe
Forwards: Keisuke Honda, Shinji Okazaki, Keiji Tamada, Takayuki Morimoto
My Selection
Goalkeepers: Seigo Narazaki, Eiji Kawashima, Shusaku Nishikawa
Defenders: Atsuto Uchida, Tomoaki Makino, Marcus Tulio Tanaka, Yuji Nakazawa, Daiki Iwamasa, Yuto Nagatomo, Michihiro Yasuda
Midfielders: Hajime Hosogai, Junichi Inamoto, Makoto Hasebe, Yasuhito Endo, Kengo Nakamura, Shunsuke Nakamura, Naohiro Ishikawa, Shinji Ono, Mu Kanazaki
Forwards: Keisuke Honda, Shinji Okazaki, Shinzo Koroki, Takayuki Morimoto
Not a huge difference between the two, but I would go for a little more variety when it comes to attacking options.
Makino and Yasuda are both steady defenders who are confident on the ball and like to get forward, with Kanazaki also not afraid to try something a little different when on the offensive.
Hosogai has really impressed since moving forward to central midfield for Urawa this season and would add some steel to the squad, relishing as he does the physical aspects of the game. Meanwhile, Shinji Ono has provided the impetus for Shimizu’s unbeaten start to 2010 and would earn a recall to the national team if I were in charge as he has that something extra needed at a World Cup.
Finally, Shinzo Koroki would get the nod ahead of any of the other striking options largely because of his industry and the fact that he is not afraid to shoot early or from range.
Sakka Nihon 
Sean,
Your prediction is almost perfect! I didn’t think Kawaguchi(GK) would be selected, too.
I’m wondering why Yoshito Okubo and Keisuke Honda exchange role (MF and FW)?
or my source is wrong? http://mainichi.jp/enta/sports/soccer/10fwc/etc/player.html
Okada says Japan team aims for the best four! Hmmmm, it would take a miracle to get it.
Hi Michiko,
Thanks for your comment.
Yes, Kawaguchi was a bit of a shock but I guess Okada wants some more experienced players around the squad.
Honda and Okubo both play in a sort of half-midfield, half-striker position so they could be listed as either. I would personally play Honda as a striker which is why I put him in that group.
That is also why I thought Okada would pick Ishikawa over a player like Yano. There are enough players in the squad who can play up-front and Ishikawa would have provided something a little different. Yano is a tall player though so I think Okada may want to use him against Denmark.
We will see – just one month to go!