Japan's Greatest XI - 2000 - 2020

Japan began the 21st century in the limelight as they co-hosted the 2002 World Cup with South Korea, and ever since then, they have proven to be one of those sides which you never really want to play against.

They're yet to pose any consistent threat to the big boys, but the fact they have managed to get out of the group stages at the 2002, 2010 and 2018 World Cups proves that Japan are not to be taken lightly.

More and more Japanese players are making their way over to Europe, which is a sign that the future is bright for the country's football. However, we're not interested in the future. We only want the past 20 years.

As part of 90min's mini-World Cup to decide the best national team of the century so far, let's take a look at what Japan have had to offer us.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Eiji Kawashima (GK)

It was Kawashima's performances at the 2010 World Cup which saw the world take notice of the Japanese shot stopper. Having already proven himself as one of the country's top stars, he took the plunge and headed to Europe, and he has since spent time in Belgium, Scotland and France.

Gōtoku Sakai (RB)

After making his breakthrough in 2012, Sakai was quickly touted as one of the brightest prospects in the history of Asian football. He might not have lived up to those expectations during his six-year stay with the international side, but he still played a major role in Japan's rise to prominence.

Maya Yoshida (CB)

Yoshida is one of the most well-known Japanese exports as a result of his time with Southampton. He enjoyed several impressive years in England, and even though his time there looks to be coming to an end, he remains a core part of the international side and recently earned his 100th cap.

Yuji Nakazawa (CB)

The man affectionately known as 'Bomber' was a star in the heart of Japan's defence between 1999 and 2010, leading the team to two Asian Cups in the process. His showings at the 2010 World Cup were perhaps the finest of his entire career.

Yuto Nagatomo (LB)

Another well-known export, current Galatasaray left-back Nagatomo spent seven years with Inter between 2011 and 2018. At international level, he is one of a select group to have earned 100 caps, having featured at every World Cup since 2010.

Midfielders

Yasuhito Endō (DM)

A dead-ball specialist and undisputed national team legend, Endō spent 13 years as the heart and soul of Japan. He has spent all his club career in his homeland (where he is still going strong aged 40) and is the most-capped player in Japan's history.

Shunsuke Nakamura (DM)

If we're talking about dead-ball specialists, let's not forget about the icon that is Nakamura. The former Celtic star (who is also still playing in Japan aged 41) is billed as one of the best Japanese players to ever play in Europe and was even nominated for the 2007 Ballon d'Or.

Keisuke Honda (RM)

Honda's career has taken him all over the world - from Moscow to Milan - and it could have taken him to Manchester United in the Red Devils took him up on his offer to play for free in 2019. At international level, he shone at the 2010 World Cup and is the highest-scoring Asian in competition history.

Hidetoshi Nakata (AM)

Touted by many as the single-greatest Japanese player of all time, Nakata called an abrupt end to his career in 2006 while on loan with Bolton Wanderers, but not before he had captivated fans around the world. Nominated for three Ballons d'Or between 1998 and 2001, the prolific midfielder is the standard to which any Japanese stars are compared.

Shinji Kagawa (LM)

Kagawa built his name as part of Jürgen Klopp's breathtaking Borussia Dortmund side, with a less-than-memorable two years with Manchester United thrown in as well. One of the biggest names in Japanese football in the last decade, Kagawa turned out at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 World Cups and is currently strutting his stuff in Spain with Real Zaragoza.

Forward

Shinji Okazaki (ST)

As the highest-scoring active player in the Japan team, Okazaki has been crucial to nearly all the success which Japan have enjoyed this decade. The former Leicester City man managed to get on the score sheet at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, while he has also shone at Asian Cups and the 2013 Confederations Cup.