Sota Hirayama scored a full national team debut hat trick after coming on as an early substitute when Japan were 2-0 down away at Yemen! While the 13 new call-ups and young team were not expected to get a big win, the fact that Okada changed it so early and the young guns were able to pull it around gives great encouragement! With the likes of Okubo, Tamada and other “regulars” rarely getting among the goals, it looks like Okada’s “gamble” to see what could be gained has yielded another prospect to fight for a place alongside Okazaki, Morimoto and, perhaps Honda in South Africa!The three points ensured Japan’s place in Qatar in the 2011 Asian Championships with a game to spare, too!”I must give the greatest praise to Hirayama, but him immediately becoming a full member in the national team is a different story. I must say he played to his potential , so there is great hope,” Japan coach Takeshi Okada told reporters, through interpreters, after the victory.Hirayama said: “We had to go home with a win and I just wanted to score again and again, But I’d like to to concentrate on myself this year, rather than looking for a place in the national team.”The FC Tkyo forward scored with a header in the 42nd minute and then trapped and swivelled in one great move to score the equaliser on 55 minutes. He then hit his hat trick with a difficult left-foot sliding volley.While Okada has said he “expects” a semi-final place, the Japanese tabloids have put the mockers on this and roundly seem to think that Japan will struggle to earn a point in a group with the Netherlands, Cameroon and Denmark. not very encouraging from the local press!The interesting team selection worked in two ways. The senior players were rested or allowed to stay in their leagues in Europe, while the three points were gained and qualification ensured … AND there could be a new start rising! Welcome to the full squad Sota Hirayama!!Now, why wasn’t this game televised in Japan! The newspapers are negative and the TV didn’t even think it worth showing? A sad state of affairs!!