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Japan omit Ogasawara for Serbia friendly

The Kashima Antlers midfielder was recalled to the Japan squad in January after an absence of more than three years but upset Okada by criticising the international set-up.

With Shunsuke Nakamura back in Japan with Yokohama F-Marinos and also named by Okada on Monday in a 20-man squad for the April 7 game in Osaka, Ogasawara's World Cup chances now looks slim.

Nakamura's Yokohama team-mate Koji Yamase was also recalled, adding salt to Ogasawara's wounds for the friendly with a rugged and technically gifted Serbia side also bound for South Africa.

"I've chosen some players who haven't had a real opportunity so far," Okada told reporters. "It doesn't mean those not selected have no chance of going to the World Cup."

Okada's selection of 21-year-old Fukuoka University striker Kensuke Nagai will also do little to boost Ogasawara's confidence in the run-up to the World Cup.

"I think we could use Nagai's explosive speed in the last 10 minutes of games," said Okada.

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