The Daily Drool – Ligue 1 – Strasbourg: Eiji Kawashima

Goalkeeper Eiji joined Strasbourg in 2018. He has represented Japan at the U20 and senior levels.

The Daily Drool: Shoya Nakajima

Winger Shoya currently plays for Porto. He has represented Japan at the U17, U20, Olympic and senior levels.

The Daily Drool: Yuta Nakayama

Defender Yuta currently plays for Kashiwa Reysol. He has represented Japan at the U18, U19 and U20 levels.

The Daily Drool: Yuya Osako

Forward Yuya currently plays for 1. FC Köln. He has represented Japan at the U20, U21, U22 and senior levels.

The Daily Drool: Takumi Minamino

Forward Takumi plays for Red Bull Salzburg. He has represented Japan at the U17, U20 and senior levels.

The Daily Drool: Yoichiro Kakitani

Center forward Yoichiro joined FC Basel in 2014. He has represented Japan at the U17, U20 and senior levels.

The Daily Drool: Shunsuke Nakamura

Attacking midfielder Shunsuke currently plays for Yokohama F. Marinos, the team where he made his professional debut in 1997. In between, he has played in Italy (Reggina), Scotland (Celtic) and Spain (Espanyol). He has represented Japan at the U20, U23 and senior levels.

The Daily Drool: Mike Havenaar

6’4″ striker Mike was born in Japan to Dutch parents. His dad Dido was playing in Hiroshima for Mazda FC at the time. He grew up in the Japanese football system and made his professional debut in 2006. The whole family (including footballing brother Nikki & his mom, a former national heptathlon champion) became naturalized Japanese citizens in 1994.He currently plays for Eredivisie side Vitesse. He has represented Japan at the U18, U19, U20 and senior levels. Here’s an interesting article about Mike from IBWM, one from FIFA and a picture of his adorable daughter.

The Daily Drool – Confederations Cup – Japan: Ryoichi Maeda

Striker Ryoichi plays for Jubilo Iwata of the J. League Division 1. He has represented Japan at the U20, U23 and senior levels.

The Daily Drool: Shinji Kagawa

Midfielder Shinji plays for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. He has represented Japan at the U19, U20, U23 and senior levels.