World Cup qualifier: Kagawa, Honda, Haraguchi among Japan players to watch against Socceroos

JAPAN certainly have some exciting talent the Socceroos will need to keep a close eye on Thursday night. Here are seven players in particular.

The Socceroos will be wise to keep another close eye on Shinji Kagawa.

JAPAN may be under pressure to perform but there is no denying the depth of talent available to coach Vahid Halilhodzic.

SELECTION DILEMMA: Who will Socceroos start in Saitama?

BRUTAL: Conditions won’t dictate Aussie style of play

Many of the current squad have been in and around the international scene since 2008 and shared in some of the greatest achievements.

Here are seven players the Socceroos must watch in particular on Thursday night.

Genki Haraguchi tries to get past Mile Jedinak in Melbourne last year,

1 — Genki Haraguchi (Hertha Berlin, 24 caps, six goals)

The fleet-footed attacker caught Australia on the hop at Etihad Stadium earlier in the campaign and is being hailed as key plank in coach Halilhodzic’s plans. Scored the goal against Australia in the 1-1 draw, exploiting some nervy defending in the opening minutes. Impressed so much that he was being touted as a possible buy for EPL newcomers Brighton in the off season.

2 — Keisuke Honda (Pachuca, Mexico, 90 caps, 36 goals)

Is a revered figure in Japan but whether he even starts ahead of Yuya Kubo on a wing is shrouded in mystery considering his lack of game time at AC Milan forced him in to a surprise move to Mexico. The 31-year-old has a great goalscoring record at international level and seems more likely to be used ina Tim Cahill-type role towards the end of the game.

The Socceroos will be wise to keep another close eye on Shinji Kagawa.

3 — Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund, 86 caps, 15 goals)

The former Manchester United attacking midfielder has long been a thorn in the Socceroos’ side and will again be pivotal to Japan’s hopes of success. Kagawa seems to have been around forever but is still only 28 and continues to ply his trade in one of the top leagues in the world.

4 — Maya Yoshida (Southampton, 75 caps, 10 goals)

The rock at the back for Samurai Blue. Southampton are widely seen as one of the most defensively astute units in the Premier League and the imposing 29-year-old is one of the reasons for that. He has pinpointed a weakness or two in Australia’s defence. “I understand what their strengths and weaknesses are. The three backs are physically strong but ability is their problem. I saw them conceding goals at the Confederations Cup with guys running in behind them.”

Maya Yoshida keeps calm with Robbie Kruse breathing down his neck.

5 — Gaku Shibasaki (Getafe, 11 caps, three goals)

Bothered by anxiety issues in recent times, the 25-year-old central midfielder hasn’t played for the national team for over two years. But there is no denying his quality. No guarantee of starting but, if he does, the Socceroos will need to be wary.

6 — Yuya Osako (FC Koln, 19 caps, six goals)

Set to play as the central figure in a three-pronged strike force, the 27-year-old has a decent goalscoring record. Ange Postecoglou should remember him well from the 2013 East Asian Games when he scored a double against the Socceroos.

The Socceroos will be well versed in the style of Eiji Kawashima.

7 — Eiji Kawashima (Metz, 76 caps)

He’s returned from the international wilderness and made the position his own again. He famously denied the Socceroos in the 2011 Asian Cup final in Qatar with an outstanding display. Japan don’t concede many goals and it usually takes something special to get past Kawashima.

Originally published as World Cup qualifier: Kagawa, Honda, Haraguchi among Japan players to watch against Socceroos