Okubo in squad for Japan friendly versus Iceland

Striker Yoshito Okubo will headline Japan's squad in an international friendly against Iceland on Feb. 24.

Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni announced the squad on Friday, naming only domestic players for the match against Iceland in Osaka.

Zaccheroni gave first call-ups to five players, including 18-year-old striker Yuya Kubo of second-division Kyoto Sanga.

The 29-year-old Okubo, who played for Japan at the 2010 World Cup, has not played for the national team since Zaccheroni took over from Takeshi Okada.

"Toward the end of last season Okubo showed me what a quality player he is and what he is capable of," Zaccheroni said. "I don't need to tell you all what a player he is because you all saw how well he did at the World Cup."

Striker Hidetaka Kanazono, who scored 12 league goals for Jubilo Iwata last season, and Vegalta Sendai goalkeeper Takuto Hayashi have also been given their first call-ups for the national team.