FC Messina striker Atsushi Yanagisawa became the latest addition to Japan's national squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Iran as he has been called to join his Japanese teammates in Tehran, officials of the Italian Serie A side said Tuesday.
Yanagisawa is expected to replace Toshiya Fujita on the roster for Friday's Group B match as the Jubilo Iwata midfielder was dropped from the squad training in Frankfurt Tuesday due to a right calf injury.
Yanagisawa, who left Italy Tuesday evening, will be making his first appearance in a Japan uniform since the Kirin Cup last July. He was named to the national squad for the first-round World Cup qualifier against India in August but pulled out as he was not included in the starting lineup.