Japan coach Zico on Wednesday played down concerns over captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto's lack of playing time at J-League club Gamba Osaka and insists he is still the man to lead the Asian champions.
Gamba manager Akira Nishino has been reluctant to use Miyamoto in a four-man backline and the 29-year-old defender has not started in any of Gamba's league matches so far this season.
"It's up to the manager of each club to make selection decisions. They put what they think is the best team on the pitch. Of course for me it's best to have players that are playing regularly but I'm not in a position to stick my nose in," Zico said at the squad announcement for Japan's upcoming home friendly with Ecuador.