CM) Keisuke Honda (Japan)
One of the poster boys of Japanese football, midfielder Keisuke Honda has struggled since sealing a move from CSKA Moscow to AC Milan in January, yet he remains one of the Samurai Blue’s biggest threats at the tournament.
The 27 year-old served a long apprenticeship, initially playing in the J-League with Nagoya Grampus before an impressive spell in Holland with VVV-Venlo.
After some more good performances in the Russian league he has earned his move to Serie A, but will be hoping that a good World Cup can help him return to form.
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