The Japanese national team faced a J-League All Star side earlier today in a charity match for the massive earthquake and tsunami victims
The Japanese team was superior on the occasion as they won the game 2-1 as the charity match proved to be a huge success in the disaster-hit country.
Alberto Zaccheroni selected a very strong Japan side which included the likes of Keisuke Honda of CSKA Moscow and Inter Milan fullback Yuto Nagatomo. Gamba Osaka playmaker Yasuhito Endo stroked first blood for the Japan team by scoring a free-kick in the 16th minute.
Shinji Okazaki then doubled Japan's lead after some good work from Honda. Nonetheless, Stuttgart's Shinji Okazaki, dedicated his goal to all the victims that suffered during the tragedy that hit the country earlier this month.
Okazaki, who has also suffered the aftermath of earthquakes in his life before said: "I'm here because I received goods and support from various kinds of people at that time. Now it is my turn to support others and today's game is the first step in giving back."
"The match may have encouraged people," Okazaki said. But he added realistically: "Goods and cash are what matter at the moment."
Kazuyoshi Miura, the oldest J-League player at 44, pulled one back for the All Star side after 82 minutes and he was equally delighted to have played a part in this match.
"I don't like to talk about my age but always people ask me about it. I never give up so I wanted to show my heart with a goal", Miura said.
"It was March 24 when I first touched the ball this season. I couldn't run enough today but I think it was worth it to play this game."
Alberto Zaccheroni selected a very strong Japan side which included the likes of Keisuke Honda of CSKA Moscow and Inter Milan fullback Yuto Nagatomo. Gamba Osaka playmaker Yasuhito Endo stroked first blood for the Japan team by scoring a free-kick in the 16th minute.
Shinji Okazaki then doubled Japan's lead after some good work from Honda. Nonetheless, Stuttgart's Shinji Okazaki, dedicated his goal to all the victims that suffered during the tragedy that hit the country earlier this month.
Okazaki, who has also suffered the aftermath of earthquakes in his life before said: "I'm here because I received goods and support from various kinds of people at that time. Now it is my turn to support others and today's game is the first step in giving back."
"The match may have encouraged people," Okazaki said. But he added realistically: "Goods and cash are what matter at the moment."
Kazuyoshi Miura, the oldest J-League player at 44, pulled one back for the All Star side after 82 minutes and he was equally delighted to have played a part in this match.
"I don't like to talk about my age but always people ask me about it. I never give up so I wanted to show my heart with a goal", Miura said.
"It was March 24 when I first touched the ball this season. I couldn't run enough today but I think it was worth it to play this game."
