FIFA Updates

TOKYO, Sept 3 (Reuters) – Japan have wasted little time
putting new coach Alberto Zaccheroni to work by making him an
ambassador for the country’s 2022 World Cup bid.

The Italian was unveiled earlier this week after a lengthy
search to find a replacement for Takeshi Okada, who took the
Blue Samurai to the last 16 of this year’s World Cup.

“The 2002 World Cup (co-hosted by Japan and South Korea)
was a fantastic tournament,” said Zaccheroni.

“The level of organisation and the passion of the fans were
quite exceptional. A World Cup hosted by Japan in 2022 would be
something … truly special.”

Japan is competing against with United States as well as
South Korea, Qatar and Australia for the right to host the 2022
tournament. The 2018 finals are expected to go to Europe.

The 2018 and 2022 hosts will be announced by FIFA in Zurich
on Dec. 2.

(Reporting by Alastair Himmer. Editing by Nick Mulvenney.

To query or comment on this story email
sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

TOKYO, Aug 27 (Reuters) – Japan midfielder Yasuhito Endo
has warned that group opponents Saudi Arabia will be a serious
threat at next year’s Asian Cup in Qatar.

The Blue Samurai have also been drawn alongside Jordan and
Syria in Group B but Endo believes the rugged Saudis could pose
problems for fellow three-times winners Japan.

“Saudi Arabia are the most difficult to play against,”
reigning Asian player of the year Endo told the Asian Football
Confederation website (the-afc.com).

“In the whole of Asia I find it difficult to play against
them.”

Endo was recently linked with a move to Liverpool and is an
automatic choice for Japan, helping his country reach the last
16 of this year’s World Cup in South Africa.

The 30-year-old Gamba Osaka playmaker said the Asian Cup
was a priority for Japan after they were beaten 3-2 in the 2007
semi-finals by Saudi Arabia.

“We couldn’t win it last time so I’d like to become
champion,” said Endo. “I think Japan are the number one (side)
in Asia.”

Japan, who are still without a manager, face Paraguay in a
friendly in Yokohama on Sept. 4 before playing Guatemala in
Osaka three days later. Japan lost to Paraguay on penalties at
the World Cup finals.
(Reporting by Alastair Himmer. Editing by Peter Rutherford.
To query or comment on this story email
sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

TOKYO, Aug 25 (Reuters) – Japan midfielder Yuki Abe has
agreed terms with England’s Leicester City and will join the
Championship (second division) club subject to a medical.

The 28-year-old Urawa Reds player left for Britain on
Wednesday and told local media: “I believe there is a new
challenge waiting for me there and I’m hoping to finalise the
move.”

Abe played in all four of Japan’s games at this year’s
World Cup in South Africa where the Blue Samurai reached the
last 16. He has played 49 times for his country.

(Reporting by Alastair Himmer; Editing by Ian Ransom; To
query or comment on this story email
sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

TOKYO (AP)—A FIFA delegation praised Japan’s planning and advanced
infrastructure after completing an inspection of the country’s bid to host the
2022 World Cup.

The FIFA inspection team, headed by Chile Football Federation president
Harold Mayne-Nicholls, toured stadium and broadcasting facilities in Osaka and
Tokyo from Tuesday to Thursday.

“We must say that it is a very balanced product,” Mayne-Nicholls said at a
press conference on Thursday. “It mixes football traditions with modern
stadiums, new technology and environmental projects integrated with the world.”

Japan, which co-hosted the 2002 World Cup with South Korea, is competing
with Australia, Qatar, South Korea and the United States to host the 2022 World
Cup.

“We got them to see an environment in which you could play fantastic
football,” said Motoaki Inukai, president of the Japan Football Association.

Japan’s government has endorsed the nation’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup,
vowing to cooperate in bringing the showcase tournament to the country.

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan hosted the FIFA inspection team at a
dinner on Wednesday.

“The Japanese government has given its official backing and approval for
the 2022 bid,” Kan said. “We are supporting the bid with the full resources of
the nation. Should we win the bid, the Japanese government will take all
measures that FIFA deems necessary for the successful hosting of the event.”

The FIFA team next travels to South Korea and Australia.

The host will be chosen on Dec. 2.