Toda left out of Japan squad

Japan coach Zico has selected a 23-man squad for the trip to the US, including seven overseas-based players.

Parma's Hidetoshi Nakata, Reggina's Shunsuke Nakamura, Junichi Inamoto of Fulham, Portsmouth's Yoshi Kawaguchi, Feyenoord's Shinji Ono, Genk's Takayuki Suzuki and Naohiro Takahara of Hamburg make up the septet.

But former Brazilian international Zico has opted not to pick Toda as the flamboyant ace seeks to establish himself at White Hart Lane.

Zico has recalled Shimizu stopper Ryuzo Morioka to the national set-up while there is a maiden call-up for Kyoto Purple Sanga forward Teruaki Kurobe.

The Japan chief is confident he has sufficient variety in his squad as he prepares for his side's participation in the Confederations Cup in the summer.

"It is important to have as many options as possible in order to win at international level," Zico said.

"We'll have more time to train together during this tour, which I hope can give us more variation to our game."

Japan play Uruguay in San Diego on March 26 and then tackle the United States in Seattle on March 29.