Japan coach Osim calls up five uncapped players

TOKYO, Aug 31 (Reuters) Japan coach Ivica Osim today named five uncapped players in his squad for Asian Cup qualifiers away to Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

All 24 players in the squad are with J-League clubs.

Goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa and midfielders Tsukasa Umesaki, Takahiro Futagawa, Masahiko Inoha and Daigo Kobayashi have never played for their country.

Japan play Saudi Arabia on Sunday and Yemen on September 6. They won their opening two qualifiers against India and Yemen to top Group A, level on six points with Saudi Arabia.

REUTERS PM BST1335