In-form Gamba Osaka striker Ryuji Bando won his first national team callup as Japan coach Ivica Osim named a 20-man squad on Sunday for Wednesday's friendly against Ghana in Yokohama.
Bando, who has hit a rich vein of form for J. League leader Gamba and scored 14 league goals this term, was one of four players given the chance to win their first caps in the Nissan Stadium tieup.
Kawasaki Frontale midfielder Kengo Nakamura was also picked for the first time along with JEF United Chiba duo Satoru Yamagishi and Hiroki Mizumoto.
Osim has not included Urawa Reds defenders Keisuke Tsuboi and Marcus Tulio Tanaka and Gamba winger Akira Kaji because all three are injured.