Following Japan's 1-1 draw with Qatar on Wednesday night, star playmakers Shunsuke Nakamura from Celtic and Yasuhito Endo of Gamba Osaka are set be rested.

Nakamura is being rested while Endo is injured. Also out are Keisuke Honda and Yoshito Okubo as both are being rested. What's more, midfielder Makoto Hasebe is suspended after a red card against Uzbekistan last week.

The JFA won't replace these five players. Japan joined Australia in qualifying for the World Cup on the weekend.