Mitsuo Ogasawara has never been a man of many words, but as the J. League takes a break from its normal schedule to host a disaster-relief charity match on Saturday, the Kashima Antlers midfielder is determined to give a voice to those still affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Kashima Stadium is the venue for the match between a team of J. League All-Stars and a team of players with links to the disaster zone, with former Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero adding spice to the mix with an appearance in support of the country that won his heart during Italy's 2002 World Cup training base in Sendai.
Playing alongside Del Piero will be Ogasawara, a six-time J. League champion and 2009 MVP whose actions in the aftermath of the disaster made him the sportsman perhaps most closely identified with relief efforts.