Santos named in Japan squad

Santos named in Japan squad

TOKYO: Brazilian-born midfielder Alessandro Santos has been included in Japan's squad for World Cup warm-up matches against Ukraine and Poland later this month, it was announced Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Shimizu S-Pulse player, who is better known as "Alex", obtained Japanese nationality in November and had already been training with the national squad.

His inclusion puts him firmly in line for a place in coach Philippe Troussier's final World Cup squad. --AFP