Former Japan World Cup captain Masami Ihara has decided to end his playing days, soccer sources said Thursday.
The most-capped Japan international of all time, Ihara captained his country at its first World Cup finals in France in 1998 and made a total of 123 appearances.
The 35-year-old defender completed a two-year contract with Urawa Reds this season but found himself surplus to requirements at the first-division side.
He had hoped to find another club in a bid to extend his playing career by an extra year but decided to hang up his boots after only receiving offers from second-division clubs.