Problem with Abe?

[Finnegan]

He hasn't been dropped by the Japan side for any reason other than his age. They're using tournaments between now and the WC2014 to bring through a younger generation of players as there are a lot of names like Endo, Abe, Matsui, Hasebe, Tanaka, Nakazawa, Inamota, Ogasawara, Tamada and co' who will all be into their thirties by then.

Of that list I think only Endo and Matsui have made the current squad, the average age of which is immensely low.

(Although I'm confused by the fact Morimoto isn't in.)

[Corky]

Maybe Sven wanted to see how Oakley worked in his position for a game?

Abe will probably be back in the first XI on Saturday.

[Yorkshire Blue]

Good piece of info there Finnegan, Japan seem to have the right idea with their squad. If only English managers could do this, but they need results from being appointed which means they don't have a chance to play youngsters, or if they do and fail they get slated.