With national team manager Alberto Zaccheroni set to name his World Cup squad on May 12, Soccer Scene takes a look at the candidates. Names in bold are those predicted to make the final 23-man roster:
Zaccheroni should have little trouble choosing his three goalkeepers, with Eiji Kawashima the established No. 1 and Shusaku Nishikawa his deputy. Shuichi Gonda should edge out Masaaki Higashiguchi for the third spot.
Defense will give the manager much more of a headache, with injuries to half his regular back four complicating the issue. Maya Yoshida and Atsuto Uchida should have recovered in time for the finals even if they will not have had much playing time, but their importance to the team is likely to override fitness concerns in Zaccheroni's mind.