5 Asian Players To Look Out For In World Cup 2018

Japan v Syria - FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier 2nd Round
Shinji Kagawa

#4 Shinji Kagawa

Kagawa celebrating after scoring against Thailand
Shinji Kagawa celebrating after scoring against Thailand

The Dortmund playmaker is arguably the most well-known face in Japanese football at the moment. Kagawa had an indifferent first half of the 2017-18 season but seems to have re-discovered form under new Borussia boss Peter Stoger.

Kagawa has seen limited playing time with the German giants this season. Yet he has managed to score six goals and set up his teammates thrice in just 23 starts for the club.

The 29-year-old also played a pivotal role in the successful qualifying campaign for the Samurai Blues, emerging as the second highest scorer for his country with 6 crucial goals. His recent international form hasn't been bad either having netted twice in the last four appearances for the national team.

Japan are in a relatively easy group this summer and if their mercurial playmaker is in form, one won't be surprised if they progress much further than the group stages.

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Edited by Nishant Jayaram
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