World Cup captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto looks like he may have played his last match for Japan.
Just as England boss Steve McClaren has ostensibly left the door open for David Beckham, new Japan coach Ivica Osim has not frozen out Miyamoto completely.
But Osim left the 29-year-old off the squad for Japan's Asian Cup qualifier against Yemen on Wednesday and gave his strongest hint yet that the Gamba Osaka defender would not be a part of the team he is rebuilding after taking over from Brazilian coach Zico. 'In my opinion (Miyamoto) is one of the most talented players in Japanese soccer," Osim told reporters.