TOKYO, (Japan) - JAPAN on Friday called up former Torino striker Masashi Oguro and 2 young defenders for the opener against Bahrain in the final qualifying round for the World Cup.

Oguro, 28, who is now with Tokyo Verdy after leaving the Italian outfit, was chosen along with Kashima Antlers' Atsuto Uchida, 20, and Kyoto Sanga's Hiroki Mizumoto, 22.

'The 3 players have experience with the national team and understand our playing concept,' Japan coach Takeshi Okada said in a statement.

'After a training camp in Japan, we want to go to Bahrain in a good condition and see a good outcome of the first match with these players,' he said.

Japan, three-time Asian champions, and Bahrain, play the opener of the Asian final qualifying round on Sept 6.

Japan were drawn with Australia, Bahrain, Uzbekistan and Qatar in Group A, seeking one of the top two places to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. -- AFP