The Japan Football Association is looking to line up a first-ever international fixture against three-time world champion Germany in November, sports sources said Monday.
Japanese and German soccer officials are looking for a suitable date for the fixture, which would take place in Japan, before the middle of November as the Japanese are scheduled to play World Cup co-hosts South Korea at the end of November, the sources said.
Japan will play at least 12 international matches this year in its buildup to the 2002 World Cup finals, including a friendly against world and European champion France in Saint-Denis on March 24, the JFA said last week.
Philippe Troussier's side will then play Spain away in late April prior to the May 30-June 10 Confederations Cup in Japan and South Korea and the Kirin Cup in June-July.