Japan coach Zico has called up Kashiwa Reysol defender Mitsuru Nagata for Thursday's home friendly with Germany to fill the gap in his backline, the Japan Football Association said Tuesday.
Juergen Klinsmann, coach of Germany, speaks at a news conference in Yokohama. Germany will take on Japan in a friendly international on Thursday.
Nagata earned the call-up after Gamba Osaka defender Tsuneyasu Miyamoto picked up a hamstring injury and Yokohama F. Marinos defender Naoki Matsuda pulled out with fitness problems days before the match at International Stadium Yokohama.