Midfielder Koji Kumagai and forward Takayuki Suzuki of the J. League champion Kashima Antlers have been called up for the first time to Japan's national team training camp next month, the Japan Football Association announced Thursday.
Japan manager Philippe Troussier called up a total of 45 players: eight goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 19 midfielders and eight forwards. They are expected to be the basis for Japan's 2002 World Cup preparation.
The list includes Yokohama F. Marinos defender Yasuhiro Hato, also a new face, and familiar faces such as Jubilo midfielder Hiroshi Nanami and Kashiwa Reysol midfielder Tomokazu Myojin.
In addition, Marinos forward Shoji Jo has made his return to the national team after a long layoff.
But veterans Masashi Nakayama of Jubilo Iwata and Kazu Miura of Vissel Kobe were excluded. AS Roma midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata was also left out, due to his Italian club commitments.
The members will train together from Feb. 18 to Feb. 23 at Fukushima's J. Village.