Japan boss Vahid Halilhodzic will be hoping to prove once again that there is method in his madness after raising more than a few eyebrows with his squad selection for Japan's upcoming World Cup final-round qualifier against Iraq.

Halilhodzic took a massive risk in playing veteran midfielder Yasuyuki Konno and goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima back in a March qualifier away to the United Arab Emirates. But the move paid rich dividends as Konno scored in the 2-0 win and Kawashima was outstanding between the sticks on a sultry night in the Persian Gulf.

On Thursday, the gruff Franco-Bosnian coach axed a handful of tried and trusted regulars like Urawa Reds goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa and FC Tokyo center-back Masato Morishige and decided to hand first-time call-ups to three players, including largely unknown Bulgarian-based midfielder Kohei Kato.

Packing his squad with defense-minded midfielders, Halilhodzic, perhaps even more surprisingly, also picked Konno, even though the Gamba Osaka utility man has not played since fracturing the little toe on his left foot in the win over the UAE.

But the former Algeria coach stood by his decisions and insisted they should not be regarded as surprises.

He also said at the press conference at the Japan Football Association's Tokyo headquarters that he would take the flak if his bold moves backfire when Japan play Iraq in neutral Tehran on June 13, a qualifier that follows a friendly against Syria in Tokyo on June 6.

"The buck stops with me," said Halilhodzic. "I make my selections based on performances. I am not going to simply hand gifts to anyone, not even my son. You have to earn it."

"There are always going to be changes to the (squad) list and I am putting pressure on every single player."

In March, Konno, recalled after a two-year absence, was an emergency inclusion in the starting line-up against UAE following captain Makoto Hasebe's injury withdrawal.

And Halilhodzic used the 34-year-old to get his point across, saying that the likes of Nishikawa and Morishige are not dropped for good and that the door to the squad is always open.

"I have said since I started this job that the players that are performing well have the right to be selected. You journalists can splash what you like in the newspapers but my choices come down to performances only."

"Proof of that is Konno. I had not called him up for ages because he had not been playing well but look at him now, and he is 34 years old. The door is open to everyone. It would be a mistake to think you are in a position to be picked if you are not cutting it."

"I have easily made changes and dropped players that have constantly started and used youngsters but Konno showed me a great performance."

Konno is still working his way back to fitness but Halilhodzic said he is monitoring his progress and hoped to have him available for selection for the next two games.

"I am watching his progress and in touch by telephone every day. I have heard that he is building himself up physically, has joined the group (at Gamba) for ball work and could play in a practice game on Saturday," he said.

"After that there is a (J-League first-division) match on June 4. If he can get that far then I will make a decision on whether he can play in the Syria match. If he can clear those three tests I will be happy. After that I will be able to reach a decision on the Iraq game."

Putting his faith in Kawashima, who had not played a single league game for his French club Metz since joining the French club in August last year, and starting the two-time World Cup keeper in the UAE game was arguably Halilhodzic's boldest decision.

But it was perhaps unsurprising given the patchy recent form of Nishikawa and the unavailability at the time of second-choice keeper Masaaki Higashiguchi owing to a fractured cheekbone.

"One thing I have to emphasize again is the exemplary performance, attitude and behavior of Eiji," Halilhodzic told Thursday's press conference.

"He was the third choice keeper at Metz but he continued training and every time we call him he has brought with him a tremendous sense of ambition."

"He is an experienced player and was in an unfortunate situation with his club. But he finally won his spot on the team through his daily training, camps and discussions with the goalkeeping coaches. He has performed brilliantly for the national team."

He continued: "He has continued playing for Metz and in one match was named as their best player. This is the best message (for the other Japan players)."

With three qualifiers remaining in the final round, Japan top Group B with 16 points, ahead of Saudi Arabia on goal difference. Australia are third with 13, and UAE fourth with nine. Iraq have four points and Thailand have 1.

Japan will host Australia on Aug. 31 before their last qualifier away to Saudi Arabia on Sept. 5.

==Kyodo