Southampton defender Maya Yoshida urged Kashima Antlers' Gen Shoji to grab the moment and win a permanent place on the first team after Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic dropped Masato Morishige from his back four for June's internationals.
Yoshida, who has deputized as captain for both the Saints and Japan in the injury-forced absence of Virgil van Dijk and Makoto Hasebe, respectively, said on the eve of Wednesday's friendly against Syria that Shoji must try to leave a lasting impression on Halilhodzic with Morishige out of the fold.
Apart from Yoshida, Shoji and Gamba Osaka's uncapped Genta Miura are the only center backs on the current squad. Tomoaki Makino of Urawa Reds is an option, but does not play the position for his club.