Ogura seeking Blatter's help for Japan's Copa America squad

By David Gold

April 27 – Junji Ogura, President of the Japanese Football Federation, is seeking FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s help in putting together a Japan squad for the Copa America this summer.

Japan’s participation was placed in doubt by the earthquake which struck the country in March, as it meant J-League games had to be rearranged for July, when the Copa America is being held.

Japan has decided to play in the tournament, being held in Argentina, but only on the condition that it can take a minimum of 15 European based players.

But some of their best players, such as Shinji Kagawa of Borussia Dortmund, may not be available as a series of German clubs have expressed their opposition to allowing their stars to play in the competition.

J-League teams have insisted that they will not make up the entirety of the squad due to the rescheduled league games being played in July.

Ogura will be meeting Blatter this week in Asuncion, and said “I think we will be able to get at least 15 players.”

It is not compulsory for teams to allow their players to play for Japan because they have been invited to play as one of the Copa America’s two non-South American participants.

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