YOKOHAMA -- France manager Roger Lemerre on Saturday expressed his surprise and disappointment at the news of Japan midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata's departure from the national team ahead of Sunday's final of the Confederations Cup.
"I'm very much surprised," Lemerre said in a press conference at a Yokohama hotel. "That's something you wouldn't expect to happen in France. We didn't call up players who play in Italy and Spain this time but I think it's a problem between FIFA and European clubs."
The coach of the World Champion continued, "Nakata proved the importance of his service for Japan in their semifinal against Australia. It's disappointing that he won't be here (in the final)."