Yanagisawa raring to go
22 May 2006 - 13:17:12
Japan striker Atsushi Yanagisawa insists he has recovered from a foot injury and will be fit enough to play for his country in next month's World Cup finals.
The 28-year-old Kashima Antlers star suffered the injury two months ago in a J-League match but is happy with his recovery programme and played in a practice match at Japan's training camp in Naraha, north of Tokyo.
"It was the first time I've played in a match for quite some time and there were no problems at all," he told Kyodo News.
"I feel I am ready and match-fit. In these situations things can go well or really badly, but my foot felt fine and I am not the slightest bit concerned about it."
Yanagisawa moved to Italy after the last World Cup but struggled to impress at Sampdoria and Messina before returning to Japan.