Nakazawa boosts Japan for Asian Cup
Reuters - Wednesday 08 December 2010, 12:05
TOKYO, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Japan were given a confidence boost
for next month's Asian Cup on Wednesday when key defender Yuji
Nakazawa said he would be fit for the Qatar tournament.
The tough-tackling 32-year-old tore knee ligaments in
training with his J-League side Yokohama F-Marinos last month
but is already back in training.
"I'm able to run without having to worry about the injury,"
Nakazawa told Japan's Nikkan Sports newspaper. "My condition is
pretty much where it needs to be."
Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni feared he would be without
the influential centre-back for the January 7-29 Asian Cup, the
Italian's first official tournament in charge of the Blue
Samurai.
Nakazawa, a key member of Japan's last two World Cup sides,
has responded well to surgery, however, and was included among a
preliminary squad of 50 players named earlier this week.
The news gives Japan a welcome lift with Nakazawa's central
defensive partner Tulio set to miss Asia's showpiece event
having also suffered a knee injury.
Zaccheroni is currently in Europe attempting to secure the
services of his European-based players for the tournament.
Japan finished fourth at the last Asian Cup in 2007 where
Iraq recorded a famous victory.