Position: Defender
Born: 16.09.79
Club: Urawa Reds

Enthusiastic and dogged in defence, Keisuke Tsuboi has proved to be a huge hit with club side Urawa Reds and could be a real stand-out performer for Japan at the World Cup.

Tsuboi has earned a reputation for being a tenacious but well-timed tackler, boasting an excellent disciplinary record despite not being afraid to put his foot in.

He won his first cap three years ago against Paraguay and was called upon by Zico to make three appearances in qualifying.

He was a relative late starter to professional football as he insisted on completing a university degree before heading into the J-League. Renowned also for his tremendous pace, Tsuboi looks to have made a late surge at just the right time.