Japan vs Ghana Preview

Ghana take on Japan in the second fixture of the 2013 Kirin Challenge Cup three days after securing a passage to the final qualification round of Brazil 2014.

Japan have already booked their ticket to next year's World Cup and would regard this series of games as an opportunity to ensure their preparedness ahead of the Mundial. Alberto Zaccheroni's side has already reaped much from a recent 3-0 win against Guatemala in the ongoing three-nation tournament and would seek more of the same against their African opponents on September 10.

For the Black Stars, Tuesday’s encounter against the Samurai Blue could be an ideal way to ready themselves for the final 2014 World Cup qualification stage in October and November, a play-off against a yet unknown team.

Doubtlessly, either national side would find this game as important as any they have participated in, in recent months.

Injury-wise, Mainz striker Shinji Okazaki has left the Japan squad due to a left knee issue and would not be replaced for the Ghana match. He is the second player to leave the Asian side following Toshihiro Aoyama, who is hospitalised on suspicion of appendicitis.

Ghana are going into the friendly with only 17 players out of the initial 26-man squad called for the double header – the qualification game against Zambia and this friendly. Key striker and captain Asamoah Gyan as well as Kevin-Prince Boateng are injured whiles others were dropped for varied reasons.