A surprise selection by coach Zico, JEF United striker Maki won the nod ahead of the likes of Sanfrecce Hiroshima's Hisato Sato, Red Star Belgrade's Takayuki Suzuki, Mallorca's Yoshito Okubo and Yokohama F Marinos' Tatsuhiko Kubo. The 25-year-old is thought to offer a more physical approach than the other forwards in the squad, but is a relative newcomer, having only made his international debut in July last year.