Offensive midfielders
With Nakajima, Doan, and Morioka absent, this is the most delicate and controversial position on the team. If Nishino continues with the 3-4-2-1 system, only two offensive midfielders will play. If he returns to Halilhodzic’s 4-2-3-1, one additional spot opens.
Keisuke Honda, who rebelled against the Bosnian manager, is still the biggest name. He had a fine season in Mexico, but has not scored in his last 13 international matches, his longest-ever drought in a decade of service for Japan.
Shinji Kagawa may have the talent to be the brightest star of this team, but the reality is that he has not done well for Japan in the last four years. At Dortmund, he has been nothing more than a shadow of his former self.
Not much different is the situation of Takashi Usami, a genius at Gamba Osaka who has yet to succeed in Germany’s top division. His teammate Genki Haraguchi, who can play on either side, brings Nishino’s desired versatility as a playmaker. Takashi Inui would be a sure starter if his performances for Eibar were taken into account, but knowing Nishino’s methods, he is more likely to remain a substitute.
Forwards
Another complicated position. Has Yuya Kubo, the Japanese striker with the most goals this season (11), been called? No, of course! While Kubo is versatile enough to have even replaced Honda in a wide position under Halilhodzic, Nishino appears uncommitted to improving Japan’s finishing, the team’s biggest problem since… ever!
None of the three chosen centre-forwards are in great form. Yuya Osako has been starting recently; his ability to hold the ball up front with his back turned to the goal and assist in in collective play is his greatest asset. But his low goal production weighs against him and he must be more decisive.
Shinji Okazaki would be the undisputed starter if he were able to keep the pace that made him Japan’s third best all-time scorer with 50 goals in 112 matches, but his current form is the worst among the three strikers.
Yoshinori Muto had the most prolific season amongst the trio, but he is yet to establish himself in the national team and his missed goals against Ghana will not help his cause either.
