Position: Defender
Born: 20.07.77
Club: Urawa Reds

Another of the Urawa Reds stars benefitting under German boss Guido Buchwald in the J-League, attacking wing-back Alex will be marauding down the left flank for Japan in World Cup 2006.

The Brazilian-born star - whose full name is Alessandro Santos - made a successful late bid to feature in the last World Cup, gaining Japanese citizenship in late 2001 and then making his international debut just a fe months before the tournament began.

Since then he has been a regular for his adopted country and should win his 70th cap this summer.

Blessed with great pace and a natural skill, he will be particularly relishing the chance to play against Brazil in Dortmund on June 22.