Philippe Troussier has omitted his quartet of European stars from Japan's provisional 25-man squad for this month's Asia-Oceania Challenge Cup clash with Australia, the Japan Football Association announced Sunday.
Troussier has rested Parma's Hidetoshi Nakata, Arsenal's Junichi Inamoto, Shinji Ono of Feyenoord and Akinori Nishizawa of Bolton Wanderers for the rematch of the Confederations Cup semifinal to take place at Shizuoka's Ecopa Stadium on Aug. 15.
Meanwhile, Naohiro Takahara, who completed his transfer from Jubilo Iwata to Boca Juniors on Saturday, is back in the fold after missing the Confederations Cup and Kirin Cup through injury. There was also a recall for Yokohama F. Marinos playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura.
Urawa Reds forward Yuichiro Nagai and Shimizu S-Pulse midfielder Kohei Hiramatsu both earned their first international callup, but Asian Cup hero Hiroshi Nanami of Jubilo Iwata was a notable absentee.
Japan defeated Australia 1-0 in the Confederations Cup semifinal at International Stadium Yokohama.
The JFA will announce the final 18-man squad Friday.
Takahara signed a one-year loan contract worth $300,000 with the option of a $4 million permanent deal. Takahara also pocketed a $300,000 signing-on fee and can expect to earn a basic monthly salary of around $5,700.