RIFU, Miyagi Pref. — National team manager Takeshi Okada believes Shinji Okazaki has all the tools to become a world-class striker after the Shimizu S-Pulse forward took his international tally to 14 goals in 18 games on Wednesday night.
Okazaki hit his second hat trick in the space of a week in Japan's 5-0 friendly win over Togo at Miyagi Stadium, to add to his treble against Hong Kong in an Asian Cup qualifier last Thursday.
Okazaki made his international debut only a year ago, but his progress since then has led Okada to suggest the 23-year-old can go even further.