The Japanese national soccer team will host Italy in a friendly on Nov. 7 at Saitama Stadium, one of Japan's World Cup venues, Japan Football Association general secretary Kenji Mori announced Wednesday in Tokyo. Japan will play another friendly against a team that will have qualified for next year's finals on Nov. 13 or 14 at Tokyo's National Stadium.
In preparation for the World Cup, which Japan and South Korea will cohost, Japan is also arranging to play two games against African teams in England or France in earlier October.
Marinos ink Brazilian
The Yokohama F. Marinos have signed striker Brito from Brazilian first-division side Fluminense on a six-month loan deal, Yokohama officials announced Wednesday.
The 23-year-old Brito, who scored 17 goals in 82 appearances for his Brazilian side, will join the struggling J. League first-division club on a contract running from July 22 through Jan. 2 next year.