Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni on Thursday recalled Inter Milan defender Yuto Nagatomo and named a 23-man squad for next week's friendly against Vietnam in Kobe and the Blue Samurai's 2014 World Cup qualifier against Tajikistan in Osaka on Oct. 11.
Nagatomo has not played for Japan since a 0-0 draw with the Czech Republic in June after suffering a dislocated right shoulder at the end of July in Inter's preseason friendly against Celtic in Dublin.
"I expect him to give his very best for the national team, the same as I would expect from any other player," Zaccheroni said of Nagatomo.
Zaccheroni, though, will be without star midfielder Keisuke Honda, who is recovering from knee surgery, and defender Atsuto Uchida, who strained thigh muscles in training with Bundesliga club Schalke on Tuesday.
"Obviously I realize what a key player Honda is but looking back on the North Korea game we created the most chances we ever have in a match since I have been in charge of the team and played very well," said Zaccheroni. "I have the choice of changing players or changing the system."