TOKYO ? Japan's Under-23 national squad, which will compete at this summer's Athens Olympics, will play two home friendlies against countries taking part in the 2004 Summer Games, the Japan Football Association (JFA) said Monday.

JFA executive director Takeo Hirata said the U-23 side will play Ghana or Mali in one of the games among the teams from Africa, and Costa Rica, Mexico or Paraguay in the other match in the fixtures scheduled for May 26 and June 1.