Position: Defender
Born: 07.02.77
Club: Gamba Osaka

Centre-back Tsuneyasu Miyamoto is the true leader of the Japanese side. He wore the captain's armband in the 2002 tournament in his homeland and is respected and admired by both players and fans.

Miyamoto, who plies his trade for hometown club Gamba Osaka, has built his reputation on an uncompromising approach to the physical side of the game, coupled with an astute appreciation of how to turn defence into attack.

Several European clubs, including West Ham, were tracking the experienced 29-year-old after the last World Cup but he made it clear he wanted to stay in Japan in order to give his best on the international stage.

That decision paid dividends as he shone in qualifying, with Japan conceding just five goals on their way to becoming the first nation other than the hosts to qualify for Germany 2006.