Football: Japan to play in Copa America

TOKYO: Japan’s football association has said it would take part in the Copa America, reversing an earlier decision to withdraw from the event in the aftermath of a massive earthquake and tsunami.

“By going out there, we want to show the international community, not simply international football circles, that Japan is hanging on,” said Japan Football Association Vice-President Kozo Tashima.

“If we withdraw, I believe it may have a negative impact.” Japan and Mexico are the only two non-South American sides invited to take part in the July 1-24 Copa America in Argentina.



Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th, 2011.