5 key players for Japan at the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Of Asias four qualified teams for this World Cup, Japan seems to be the one most probable of making it out of the group stage. At the last edition in South Africa, they exited at the Round of 16, matching their best achievement from 2002. This time around, Japan will come to Brazil hoping to outdo it with an even better squad that has a good combination of youth and experience.Japan have been placed in Group C along with Colombia, Greece and Ivory Coast. Its a group that they will hope to progress from, although its a bit tricky. Coach Alberto Zaccheronis men will have to be at their very best if they are to make history.Here are 5 players who will be key to Japans chances in Brazil.

#5 Eiji Kawashima

Easily the first choice keeper for both club and country, Kawashima has impressed greatly with consistent performances. He kept 20 clean sheets throughout Standard Liege’s 2013-14 season, conceding the least number of goals.

He is one of Japan’s most dependable players, ever since shining at the 2010 World Cup. He contributed to his country’s Asian Cup triumph in 2011 with a man-of-the-match performance in the final against Australia. 

After building up lots of experience over the years, Kawashima is now expected to be Japan’s reliable last pillar of defence. He will probably have his work cut out placed behind a defence that has threatened to spoil the attack’s good work on many occasions. Therefore it will be his performances in goal that will be very crucial to Japan winning matches at the World Cup.