Japan will face Argentina in an international friendly in the Kirin Challenge Cup on Aug. 18, the Japan Football Association said Tuesday.
The match at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa will mark the first time Japan, 23rd in the latest FIFA world rankings, has played the world No. 5 since its 4-1 loss last June. Japan is winless in its past five matches against Argentina since 1992.
Yanagisawa loaned out
Kashima Antlers have agreed to send Japan international striker Atsushi Yanagisawa to Serie A side FC Messina on a one-year loan deal beginning Thursday, officials of the J. League first-division side said Tuesday.
Kashima, which holds the rights to the 27-year-old player, reached a deal with newly promoted Messina through negotiations in Japan.