Bolivia and Slovakia will join Japan in next month's Kirin Cup soccer tournament, the Japan Football Association announced Friday.

Japan and Slovakia will kick off the tournament June 11 at the new Miyagi Stadium near Sendai, one of 10 venues for the 2002 World Cup.

Slovakia will then play Bolivia at Tosu Stadium in Saga Prefecture on June 14 before a meeting between Bolivia and Japan caps the annual event June 18 at International Stadium Yokohama.

Italy to play Japan

Three-time World Cup champion Italy will visit Japan for the first time next year to play a friendly international, Japanese soccer officials said Friday.

The Italian national squad is scheduled to play Japan some time in the summer of 2001 as part of a cultural exchange between the two countries although no details have been set, the officials said.

Nishino a no-no

Kashiwa Reysol president Shozaburo Kobayashi said Friday the club won't release manager Akira Nishino if the Japan Football Association wants him to become Japan manager in June.

Kobayashi said June would not be convenient as the J. League's second stage begins on June 24.

Kobayashi added that the club hadn't received a request from the JFA so far.

Club wants Jo to stay

VALLADOLID, Spain (Kyodo) Spanish first-division club Valladolid wants to offer Japan striker Shoji Jo a new contract after his current deal expires next month, a local newspaper reported Thursday.

According to the El Norte de Castilla, Valladolid officials will ask J. League club Yokohama F. Marinos, who own Jo's rights, to allow the player to stay for an extra 12 months, keeping him in Spain until June 2001.