Former Japan defender Matsuda dies
Reuters - Thursday 04 August 2011, 06:24
TOKYO - Former Japan defender Naoki Matsuda
died in hospital on Thursday, two days after collapsing during
training from a suspected heart attack. He was 34.
Matsuda, who won 40 caps for Japan and represented his
country at the 2002 World Cup, had been put on an artificial
respirator after arriving at hospital unconscious on Tuesday.
Hiroshi Otsuki, the president of his JFL (third division)
side Matsumoto Yamaga, told Japanese media the club had been
informed Matsuda had lost his fight by the player's family.
"It's terrible to see someone die at such a young age,"
former Japan coach Philippe Troussier, who gave Matsuda his
international debut, told Reuters.
"It's a big shock. He was a great guy and I felt a close
bond to him. My thoughts go to his family.
"He was a reliable and strong player and key for Japan's
World Cup side in 2002," added the Frenchman, who led the Blue
Samurai to the last 16 as co-hosts.
"It's bad news for Japanese football. We'd all hoped of
course he would pull through. To see someone taken away doing
something they love, so suddenly, at 34 is tragic. It's awful
news."
Medical personnel had rushed to Matsuda's aid early on
Tuesday after he collapsed with suspected heatstroke. Yamaga
later said the player had gone into cardio-respiratory arrest.
Record temperatures across Japan have caused a rise in
heatstroke cases with 43 deaths in the two months through the
end of July, according to Kyodo news agency.
Matsuda made 385 appearances for Yokohama F-Marinos, helping
them win back-to-back J.League titles in 2003 and 2004.