The Matildas Group A opponents and world champions Japan have announced their squad for the 2014 AFC Asian Cup in Vietnam later this month.

The 23 player squad includes a mix of familiar names including Aya Miyama, Yuki Ogimi and Homare Sawa and a number of debutantes.

Nadeshiko League leaders Urawa Reds have had their players rewarded for a strong start to the season with Chinatsu Kira, Shiho Kohata, Hikaru Naomoto and Ruka Norimatsu set to make their senior team debuts.

The Olympic silver medallists will be without several experienced players notably Kozuo Ando (FFC Frankfurt), Asuna Tanaka (FFC Frankfurt), Shinobu Ohno (Arsenal Ladies), Yukari Kinga (Arsenal Ladies), Mana Iwabuchi (Hoffenheim) and Saki Kumagai (Lyon) as a result of an Asian Cup classification issue.

Despite the Asian Cup doubling as FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers (the top five nations will qualify for Canada 2015), the tournament is currently not recognised as international "A" matches.  Consequentially, clubs are not obliged to release their players for these matches.

Apart from the missing six players, several others are set to join the squad late with Seattle Reign's in form forward Nahomi Kawasumi joining on 6 May and Nanase Kiryu Sky Blue FC) on 9 May.  Further Chelsea striker Yuki Ogimi is reported to only be available for the group matches before returning to her FA Women's Super League side.

While the player unavailability has not made this the ideal preparation, Japan, who have never won the Asian Cup, will still enter the tournament strong favourites for a maiden confederation title.

Norio Sasaki has one final match to try out his new squad of players with Nadeshiko playing New Zealand on 8 May as a final hit out.

Japan and Australia meet in their opening matches of the Asian Cup on Wednesday, 14 May 2014.  Kick off is 11.15pm (AET).

Japan Asian Women’s Cup Squad

Goalkeepers: Miho Fukumoto (Okayama Yunogo Belle), Ayumi Kaihori (INAC Kobe Leonessa), Erina Yamane (JEF United Ichihara Chiba)

Defenders: Megumi Kamionobe (Albirex Niigata), Azusa Iwashimizu (NTV Beleza), Saori Ariyoshi (NTV Beleza), Rumi Utsugi (Montpellier HSC / France), Kana Osafune (Vegalta Sendai), Shiho Kouhata (Urawa Reds), Ruka Norimatsu (Urawa Reds)

Midfielders: Homare Sawa (INAC Kobe Leonessa), Aya Miyama (Okayama Yunogo Belle), Nahomi Kawasumi (Seattle Reign FC / USA), Mizuho Sakaguchi (NTV Beleza), Yuri Kawamura (Vegalta Sendai), Nanase Kiryu (Sky Blue FC / USA), Emi Nakajima (INAC Kobe Leonessa), Hikaru Naomoto (Urawa Reds)

Forwards: Karina Maruyama (Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki), Yuki Ogimi (Chelsea Ladies FC / England), Yuika Sugasawa (JEF United Ichihara Chiba), Megumi Takase (INAC Kobe Leonessa), Chinatsu Kira (Urawa Reds)