Top 5 Japanese players. FootballTop.com reader’s voting.

Japan is considered by many football fans as relatively week national team. And we decided to change that stereotype and present Top 5 Japanese footballers that will soon transform the side into formidable force.
1. Keisuke Honda (CSKA)

The attacking midfielder has a legendary status among CSKA Moscow fans. He moved to the Russian team in 2009 and in his first season scored an important goal in the fixture against Sevilla, bringing CSKA a ticket to the quarterfinals. Overall his record in Moscow club includes 60 appearances and 17 goals in a three-season spell. The player is also frequently called-up to the National team and made huge impact during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

2. Yuki Otsu (Borussia Monchengladbach)

The universal midfielder that can play as a winger and a playmaker is one of the best players in the German side. He stands out on the pitch for his incredible pace, superb dribbling and ability to start team’s attacks. Otsu first club was Kashiwa Reysol and it was in that side that the player showed his remarkable talent, making 66 appearances for the team. His move to Mönchengladbach last summer is not as successful as the pundits predicted, but the Japanese still has time to establish himself in the team.

3. Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United)

Kagawa is one of the most promising Japan players who famously signed his first professional football contract even before graduating from school. He helped his first team Cerezo to receive promotion to the top flight. Consequently he attracted interest from the European clubs and was signed by Borussia Dortmund, where he became one of the main stars in the squad and won two Bundesliga titles and DFB Cup. His transfer to Manchester United in 2012 promised to become a huge leap, yet after sustaining a minor injury he was sidelined for several weeks.

4. Hiroki Sakai (Hannover 96)

The defender of the German club that made his debut only this season has already attracted attention from the fans. Sometimes the player comes only from the substitutes’ bench, but still manages to impress the coaching team. Sakai has taken part in the World Club Cup 2011 and made a debut for the national team.

5. Yuto Nagatomo (Internazionale)

The Italian fans still cannot believe their eyes when Nagatomo appears in the main squad. Calcio has always been famous for its emphasis on defense and if one of the leading clubs import a Japanese defender, than the world must have changed forever. He has played in more than 50 games and gives all signs of developing into a world class footballer.

Photo: sports.ru, guardian.co.uk, footballfansonline.net, vvv-venlo.nl, haz.de