World Cup 2010: Japan Coach Takeshi Okada Unsure Of European Help Against Serbia In April

Japan may be without their European-based stars for next month’s friendly against Serbia in Osaka.

The match against their fellow 2010 World Cup qualifiers is seen as a vital one in preparation for South Africa. Japan’s results in 2010 have been less than impressive.

A 2-0 victory over Bahrain on March 3 relieved some of the pressure on coach Takeshi Okada and Japan Football Association (JFA) boss Motoaki Inukai said after the game that Okada needed to maintain the momentum and once again, summon his overseas stars.

According to Reuters however, Okada has said that he is expecting to call upon players who ply their trade domestically.

"I think we will probably have to make do with a squad consisting of Japan-based players," Okada told reporters. "It's possible the others could come. It's up to the JFA."

With the match not falling on an official FIFA matchday, it may be tough to summon the likes of Keisuke Honda from CKSA Moscow and Makoto Hasebe of VfL  Wolfsburg.

Japan will take on Cameroon, the Netherlands and Denmark at the World Cup and have also arrange friendly games against South Korea, England and Ivory Coast.