Japan put faith in Nakamura

Japan coach Ivica Osim put his faith in Shunsuke Nakamura as the secretive Bosnian named his final Asian Cup squad with most of the country asleep.

True to form, Osim waited until almost midnight on Saturday before announcing his final 23-man party for the Asian Cup, which starts on July 7.

Celtic playmaker Nakamura and Eintracht Frankfurt striker Naohiro Takahara were the only two Europe-based players called up by Osim for Japan's bid for a third successive title.

Nakamura was also involved in Japan's last two Asian Cup successes in 2000 and 2004, as were defender Yuji Nakazawa and goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi.

"We're going to the Asian Cup with a dream of a third title in a row," Nakazawa told reporters.

"We have a lot of experience and are determined to come back with the trophy again."

Osim retained 10 of the squad who flopped at last year's World Cup in Germany under Zico.

He had already axed former mainstays Junichi Inamoto and Koji Nakata from his squad, however, after both failed to impress at last month's Kirin Cup.