Football: Japan to play in Copa America
Japan’s football association has said it would take part in the 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 15th, 2011.
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 15th, 2011.