Japan, meanwhile, has tough tests of their own and travel to the Netherlands for matches against the No. 3-ranked Dutch at the weekend and Ghana four days later.
There was a first call-up for Italian-based Takayuki Morimoto, though the 21-year-old will miss out with an injury. The Catania striker has scored in four successive Serie A games and coach Takeshi Okada, criticized at home for ignoring the youngster, finally relented.
He may not be missed as attacking midfielder Keisuke Honda has been among the best players in the Dutch league this season, scoring five goals in the opening four games as captain of newly promoted VVV Venlo.
His performances have produced rumors of interest from English giants Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Dutch powerhouses Ajax and PSV Eindhoven. Many scouts are expected to attend the match in Enschede.
“A number of top clubs are interested in Honda. Some of them are participating in the Champions League this year,” Venlo chairman Hai Berden said.
Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, ranked 64th and 65th respectively by FIFA, have no thoughts of preparations — the two rivals are battling to become Asia’s representative in the 2010 World Cup playoff against Oceania champions New Zealand in October and November.
Both West Asian teams finished third in their respective qualification groups and meet in Manama today and in Riyadh four days later.
Saudi Arabia are aiming for a fifth successive World Cup appearance, while Bahrain are still seeking a first.
The Saudis will be favorites, but star striker Naif Hazizi tore a cruciate ligament earlier this week in a warm-up match against Malaysia and will be out of action for around eight months.
Bahrain are at full strength and at full confidence after warm-up victories over Kenya and Iran. Milan Macala has been drumming up support ahead of the game, dubbed the “Glory of the Gulf” by local media.
“We need you,” Macala said. “Your support could make all the difference — almost like an extra man on the field. I am confident the stadium will be full of fans, Bahrainis and expats, cheering us on because we really need their help.”
What of Asia’s other 2010 World Cup qualifier North Korea?
The team had to cancel a friendly, scheduled for today, in Oman after 10 of their players went down with food poisoning during a training camp in China.
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