Hirayama, Kurihara named to U-23 squad for Greece tour

Hirayama, Kurihara named to U-23 squad for Greece tour

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Under-23 coach Masakuni Yamamoto speaks with reporters April 13 after the Japan Football Association announced the list of a 22-man national Olympic squad for the upcoming tour to Greece.

Costa Rica game last chance for Japan's World Cup wannabes

Costa Rica game last chance for Japan's World Cup wannabes

TOKYO, Japan - Japan coach Philippe Troussier names a 22-man squad of J-League players for next week's international friendly against Costa Rica at a news conference in Tokyo on April 10. Troussier said, ''At this stage, it is more about fine tuning.''

Troussier closes 'open' training session to media

Troussier closes 'open' training session to media

GOTEMBA, Japan - Japan coach Philippe Troussier (3rd from R in front row) poses with members of his team at the end of a training camp in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, on March 12. The Frenchman frustrated more than 200 reporters by shutting out the media from his last training camp prior to naming a 22-man squad for the national team's upcoming friendly against Ukraine.

Troussier names Japan squad for Italy game

Troussier names Japan squad for Italy game

TOKYO, Japan - Japan manager Philippe Troussier speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Oct. 30. The Frenchman picked his strongest available Japan squad for the Nov. 7 friendly international against Italy. The 22-man squad included under-fire Parma midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata and new Portsmouth goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi.

Troussier issues French warning ahead of Paris friendly

Troussier issues French warning ahead of Paris friendly

TOKYO, Japan - Japan coach Philippe Troussier speaks to journalists March 14 after naming his 22-man squad for the upcoming friendly against France at Stade de France on March 24. Troussier, who called his current squad ''a group with real strength of character,'' insisted that Japan will not be overawed by the task facing them.

Troussier closes 'open' training session to media

Troussier closes 'open' training session to media

GOTEMBA, Japan - Japan coach Philippe Troussier (3rd from R in front row) poses with members of his team at the end of a training camp in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, on March 12. The Frenchman frustrated more than 200 reporters by shutting out the media from his last training camp prior to naming a 22-man squad for the national team's upcoming friendly against Ukraine.

Costa Rica game last chance for Japan's World Cup wannabes

Costa Rica game last chance for Japan's World Cup wannabes

TOKYO, Japan - Japan coach Philippe Troussier names a 22-man squad of J-League players for next week's international friendly against Costa Rica at a news conference in Tokyo on April 10. Troussier said, ''At this stage, it is more about fine tuning.''

Hirayama, Kurihara named to U-23 squad for Greece tour

Hirayama, Kurihara named to U-23 squad for Greece tour

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Under-23 coach Masakuni Yamamoto speaks with reporters April 13 after the Japan Football Association announced the list of a 22-man national Olympic squad for the upcoming tour to Greece. (Kyodo)

Troussier issues French warning ahead of Paris friendly

Troussier issues French warning ahead of Paris friendly

TOKYO, Japan - Japan coach Philippe Troussier speaks to journalists March 14 after naming his 22-man squad for the upcoming friendly against France at Stade de France on March 24. Troussier, who called his current squad ''a group with real strength of character,'' insisted that Japan will not be overawed by the task facing them.