Japan boss Alberto Zaccheroni said Sunday getting several key players back to full match fitness is more important than the result of a World Cup warmup in the United States on Monday against Costa Rica.
Zaccheroni hopes to use the game against Costa Rica and Friday's friendly against Zambia to give more playing time to the likes of Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa and other players who have not seen much playing time with their European clubs.
Kagawa was rarely used by David Moyes at United this past season before the coach was sacked near the end of the campaign, although he told Kyodo News he feels "in good condition."