Safety first

Japan could cancel U.S. soccer games in case of war

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan might cancel two exhibition soccer games next week in the United States because of the increasing likelihood of war in Iraq.

The Japanese are set to leave Sunday to play Uruguay in San Diego on March 26 and the United States in Seattle three days later.

"We need to monitor the situation very closely," Japan Football Association chairman Saburo Kawabuchi said Wednesday. "There is still time before we depart."

Kawabuchi said a final decision will be made at a JFA council meeting on Friday.

The JFA decided to cancel the matches last month but reconsidered after being assured by U.S. soccer officials that the players would be safe.

Wednesday's comments by Kawabuchi came shortly after Major League Baseball canceled season-opening games at the Tokyo Dome on March 25-26 between the Seattle Mariners and the Oakland Athletics because of the threat of war.

"MLB made an informed decision not to come to Japan. Likewise, the JFA will make its own decision based on information we get from the Foreign ministry and U.S. authorities," JFA general secretary Takeo Hirata told reporters.

"We have not heard that MLB will cancel games inside the U.S. or that other American sports have been affected. Our basic intention is still to go even if there is an attack on Iraq."

With U.S. President George Bush's 48-hour deadline for Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to go into exile or face attack ticking down, each member of the 23-man squad selected by Japan coach Zico will be consulted first, Hirata said.

"The safety of the players is of paramount importance. The players will be contacted, of course, to see how they feel about going," he said.

Security risks

The JFA initially cancelled the trip over security risks, only to back peddle after pressure from the United States Soccer Federation.

The confusion over the U.S. trip overshadowed a press conference for the East Asian Championship between Japan, South Korea, China and Hong Kong in Yokohama from May 28 to June 3.

Zico, who has called up seven European-based players for the matches against Uruguay and the U.S., insisted he did not want to get involved in a tug-of-war over his top players for the tournament.

"My philosophy is simply to pick the best players available. It is important to have dialogue with the European clubs and we will contact each club and listen to their opinions," said the Brazilian.

The East Asian Championship, launched to commemorate the first anniversary of the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF), is set to be held every two years.

Japan, South Korea and China qualified automatically as seeds, while Hong Kong finished top of the qualifying group.

 

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Both the Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.