Japan's three European-based players -- Roma midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata, Venezia midfielder Hiroshi Nanami and Valladolid forward Shoji Jo -- have all been called up for Japan's friendly against China slated for next Wednesday at Kobe Universiade Stadium, Japan manager Phillipe Troussier announced Tuesday in Tokyo.
The 21-member lineup includes midfielders Shinji Ono of the Urawa Reds, Shunsuke Nakamura of the Yokohama F. Marinos, Junichi Inamoto of Gamba Osaka and Teruyoshi Ito of Shimizu S-Pulse.
Nakata nominated
Roma midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata and Jubilo Iwata striker Masashi Nakayama have been nominated for the Asian Football Confederation's Player of the Year Award, the Japan Football Association announced Tuesday in Tokyo.
Joining them on the nomination lists are Urawa Reds and Japan World Youth team midfielder Shinji Ono for Youth Player of the Year, Japan manager Philippe Troussier and former Jubilo manager Takashi Kuwabara for Coach of the Year, and Jubilo for Club Team of the Year.
Japan's Under-20 team has also been listed for both National Team of the Year and Youth Team of the Year.
Winners will be announced April 6 in Beirut.
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