Japan pulls out of Copa America, should the JFF call?

[Hortical]

Should the JFF contact Conmebol seeking our participation?

Japan to miss Copa America tournament in Argentina

Japan have scrapped their plans to travel to South America
Japan has pulled out of this year's Copa America, leaving the 12-nation tournament with only 11 teams with the opening just three months away.
The decision comes as Japan continues to deal with the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami which struck the north-east of the country on 11 March.
Japan and Mexico were invited to play in the quadrennial South American championship as guest nations.
The continent's 10 member federations take part as of right.
Japanese Football Association president Junji Ogura said: "The priority at this moment is to continue saving lives and rebuilding the country after the earthquake and tsunami.
"We are sorry to be pulling out because we recognise that we have advanced in football by being close to South American [teams]," Ogura added.
A spokesman for South American football's governing body Conmebol suggested Costa Rica or Canada as possible replacements but said nothing had been decided.
"Conmebol will make a final decision relying on the consensus of its members," he said.
He added that Japan would be invited to play in the 2015 Copa America, which is to be hosted by Brazil. Japan also played in the 1999 tournament.
The 2011 Copa America will be played from 1-24 July in Argentina.

[Bruce]

It wouldn't hurt to call, but my guess is nations from the 2010 World Cup are being considered. (South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and maybe Ghana)

Ghana vs. Uruguay in a rematch from the 2010 World Cup quarterfinal would be a war. Surely the Uruguay fans will flock to Buenos Aires for revenge for all the dissing Uruguay took in the World Cup.

Gyan to take the penalty kick to put Ghana in the World Cup semifinals.....he shoots, HE SUCKS !

Osama Bin Laden was arrested in Ghana and given the death penalty. Unfortunately, Mensah took the kick.

[HL]

I like the thought but Jamaica struggles with CONMEBOL stragglers like Venezuela, Peru and others...

Bruces' idea inviting Ghana is fantastic!!!

[Tilla]

They are going for Spain

Spain mulling over invitation to replace Japan in Copa America

• Organisers ask Spain to take part in tournament in Argentina
• Japan pulled out as nation focuses on disaster recovery

Tuesday 5 April 2011 15.20 BST



Angel María Villar says Spain have been approached to take part in the Copa America. Photograph: Alexander Heimann/Bongarts/Getty Images

The world champions Spain have been invited to play in the Copa America following the withdrawal of Japan, according to the Spanish football federation's president Angel María Villar.

• "Yesterday we received the official invitation, and we don't rule it out," Villar said at an event in Barcelona.
  "Next week or the week after we will determine at a meeting of the board of directors whether we will accept the invitation."
  Japan withdrew from this summer's tournament in Argentina following the devastating earthquake and tsunami last month. The Japanese FA president Junji Ogura said the priority was "to continue saving lives and rebuilding the country".
  Villar said the approach would be given serious consideration. Should they take part, Spain would replace Japan in Group A, with the hosts, Bolivia and Colombia.
  "I don't rule anything out when the request is made with affection and love, but at the same time taking into account the difficulties," Villar said.
  "That doesn't mean we are going or not, but as president I have the obligation to take it to the board.

[Gamma]

Cause dem couldn't get Jamaica because of the ccommitment to play a St James all-star 11

[Hortical]

If Spain participates I can not see dem sending their top ballers to this event.

[Hortical]

JFA to rethink earlier decision to pull out of Copa America

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Gone south: Japan could still face the likes of Peru and Ecuador at July's Copa America as the JFA plans to at least rethink its decision to withdraw from the event. AP PHOTO
JFA to rethink earlier decision to pull out of Copa America
Kyodo News

Japan's chances of playing in the Copa America have been revived after organizers urged the Japan Football Association to reconsider pulling out of the South American continental championship.

Argentina Football Association President Julio Grondona met with his JFA counterpart Junji Ogura on Tuesday, when he pleaded for Japan to stay on as guest participants at the July 1-24 Copa America.

Now, in the latest turn of events, it appears the JFA will at least try and oblige as general secretary Kozo Tashima said Wednesday that Japan will rethink its plans for the summer.

According to Tashima, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) wants to aid relief efforts of the March 11 earthquake victims through the tournament.

A decision is expected to be reached after the JFA and J. League executive committees meet over the next several days.

"I don't know how it will end. We could withdraw, we could play," Tashima said. "It's up to us at the JFA to see what we can come up with."

Ogura had told CONMEBOL President Nicolas Leoz on Monday that Alberto Zaccheroni's side would have to withdraw after the quake forced major rescheduling of the J. League fixtures.

J. League and Nabisco Cup games have been suspended since the 9.0-magnitude struck Japan, and will not restart until April 23. July had been blocked out for the Copa America, but will now be used to hold the slew of makeup matches.

With an already crowded calendar made even more crowded by the quake, J. League clubs do not want to release their players for the Copa America. European teams are also not obligated to release any Japanese players for the event since Japan is a guest participant.

J. League Chairman Kazumi Ohigashi was not too pleased to hear the JFA has gone back to the drawing board.

"The teams feel strongly about not wanting to let go of their players in a crucial part of the league championship," Ohigashi said. "It's what we told the JFA and we thought the matter was settled.

"It's very troubling."

Argentina said it can wait 10 days for Japan to make up its mind. World and European champion Spain and Costa Rica have been mentioned as possible replacements for the Asian champions.

The JFA said it has received 250 phone calls from fans urging Japan to participate in the Copa America.

Grampus denied win
NAGOYA (Kyodo) Kensuke Nagai's brilliant first career goal wasn't enough to give Nagoya Grampus their first victory in the Asian Champions League as Dragan Stojkovic's side were held to a 1-1 home draw by FC Seoul on Wednesday evening.

Grampus picked up their first point of the competition in their first competitive match since the March 11 earthquake. A moment of silence was observed at Mizuho Athletics Stadium before kickoff.

Choi Hyun Tae struck for Seoul, who lead Group F with seven points from the first three games. Nagoya sit on just one point with a game in hand.

"I'm happy I scored," said Nagai, the first-year striker from Fukuoka University and the top scorer at the Asian Games in November for gold medalists Japan. "I'm glad to have capitalized when I did."

"But I hope we can win the next one which is also at home. We have to make sure not to lose."

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-b...0110407a1.html

[Pbanta]

On Japan
http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?...njapandisaster