The Japan national football team calendar in 2017 is complete with the national team confirming an international friendly against New Zealand in Nagoya next month.

Anthony Hudson’s team, who defeated the Solomon Islands home (6-1) and drew away (2-2) for a 8-3 win on aggregate to book their place in the Intercontinental Playoff in November, will face the World Number 44, Japan on Friday 6 October at Toyota Stadium in Nagoya.

While New Zealand won the OFC Final Stage Playoff, Japan defeated Australia 2-0 in the AFC Stage Three Qualifiers to book their place in the FIFA World Cup in 2018.

New Zealand boss Hudson said the fixture, which will be for the Kirin Challenge Cup, would be a great test for his side in their final match before taking on the fifth-ranked South American team for a place at the FIFA World Cup.

“We are really pleased to have this international friendly with Japan confirmed,” said Hudson. “Japan are a top team and they are a team in form as they have qualified for the World Cup next year – their sixth World Cup in a row which is a great achievement.”