Japan's World Cup squad

Only one surprise in Zico's Japanese squad for the World Cup. Maki makes the plane, Kubo doesn't. You've got to feel sorry for Kubo, but ever since I wrote glowingly about his eccentricities here, he hasn't been able to hit a barn door from a couple of paces. Can Maki do any better? Doubtful. But he does get around the pitch, and looks up for it. On occasions recently, Kubo has looked like a forlorn puppy that has lost his bone. Maki must have nicked it.