TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan coach Asako Takakura included 18-year-old forward Jun Endo but omitted prolific striker Mina Tanaka from her squad for the women's World Cup on Friday.
The Asian champions won the World Cup in 2011 and finished runners-up four years ago but have slumped to seventh in the world rankings ahead of the June 7-July 7 tournament in France.
"Ever since I became manager, we have been doing nothing but preparation for this World Cup," she told a news conference at the headquarters of the Japan Football Association ."The United States, Germany and host nation France are regarded as the three favourites but I personally think any team could win this year."
"I did not choose by age," said Takakura."I selected players purely by their performances on the pitch. Mana Iwabuchi, named the tournament's most valuable player when the Nadeshiko won the Asian Cup last year, was another of the six forwards included in the squad of 23.
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