DOHA (Kyodo) — Veteran FC Tokyo defender Yuto Nagatomo and other J-League players in Japan’s World Cup squad touched down Thursday in Qatar ahead of the Nov. 20 to Dec. 18 tournaments.
The 36-year-old talisman arrived in Doha along with Shonan Bellmare forward Shuto Machino, who was called up late as an injury replacement, and four other domestic league players traveling from Japan.
Police cars and motorcycles provided an escort from the airport for the party, which also included Kawasaki Frontale defenders Shogo Taniguchi and Miki Yamane, Nagoya Grampus winger Yuki Soma and Shimizu S-Pulse goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda.
The remaining squad member departing Japan, Urawa Reds defender Hiroki Sakai, was due to fly Thursday.
Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu has mostly selected Europe-based players in his 26-man World Cup squad. The players already in camp will have their first practice Friday, with the full squad assembling following Sunday’s final round of European league matches before the World Cup recess.
Former Inter Milan and Galatasaray man Nagatomo is in line to become Japan’s first field player to appear at four World Cups when the Samurai Blue kick off their Group E campaign against four-time champions Germany on Nov. 23.
Moriyasu’s men will also face Costa Rica and former holders Spain as they battle to advance from a difficult group.
The Samurai Blue will play their final warm-up match before the tournament against Canada in Dubai on Nov. 17.
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