Japan’s senior players have leapt to the defense of their under-fire head coach Javier Aguirre, who again denied any involvement in a match-fixing case that continues to overshadow their Asian Cup preparations.
The Mexican was among 41 people named by Spain’s anti-corruption prosecutor in court this month following a probe into Real Zaragoza’s 2-1 win at Levante UD on the final day of the 2010-2011 campaign. The victory ensured Zaragoza, coached by Aguirre, avoided relegation.
It led to suspicions the Japanese Football Association (JFA) might remove Aguirre, but it stuck by the coach appointed in July and said he would lead the team at the Asian Cup which starts on Friday next week, despite the ongoing investigation.
The JFA’s stance has failed to quell the questions from outside the camp for Aguirre as he prepares his side for Group D matches against Palestine, Iraq and Jordan.
However, the former Atletico Madrid manager said his 23-man Japan squad were only interested in winning a record-extending fifth Asian Cup after they met up for training.
“He has said he didn’t do it, so he didn’t do it,” Japan’s most capped international Yasuhito Endo was quoted as saying by Kyodo News on Monday.
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa echoed the sentiment.
“We have just got to concentrate on defending the Asian Cup. We have to believe what the coach has told us and follow his lead,” the former Manchester United player said.
On Saturday, Aguirre told reporters in Tokyo that he was innocent.
“I worked in Spain for 12 years and have never done anything unethical or unprofessional,” Aguirre said. “The only way to win matches is through effort. I have never been given gifts by anybody and never expected them. I will cooperate with authorities and defend myself until the end.”
Aguirre said he offered the same explanation to his squad and gave them the opportunity to ask any questions about the matter.
Japan captain Makoto Hasebe said he was happy to continue working with the Mexican.
“The coach spoke directly to us and because of that his words will stick in our minds,” Hasebe said on Monday. “It is important that the players and the coach have mutual trust. The coach loves soccer and that is the same for all of us, and he said he would never betray soccer. We love soccer too, so those words got through to us.”
Carlos Alcaraz on Monday powered into the French Open second round with a resounding win to start his title defense, while world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and three-time defending women’s champion Iga Swiatek also progressed at Roland Garros. Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz struck 31 winners in a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri and is to face Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in round two. Alcaraz is now on an eight-match winning streak at the French Open and also took Olympic silver at Roland Garros last year, losing the final to Novak Djokovic. “The first round is never
SSC Napoli coach Antonio Conte has dragged the team back from disaster and restored them to the top of Italian Serie A, but his future at the Scudetto winners is in doubt even after a triumphant season. The fiery 55-year-old has exceeded preseason expectations and bolstered his reputation as a serial winner by guiding Napoli to their fourth Scudetto, and second in three seasons. However, he might well be on his way in the summer after just one season at the helm as his charged relationship with Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has simmered throughout the campaign. Conte has said
‘HELLA ENERGY’: Minnesota’s 42-point victory set a club record for points in a playoff game, but the team have to keep up their momentum to stay in the series, Edwards said Anthony Edwards on Saturday night scored 30 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves overwhelmed Oklahoma City 143-101 to tighten their NBA playoff series. Edwards added nine rebounds and six assists. while shooting 12-of-17 from the floor and 5-of-8 from three-point range as the hosts Timberwolves pulled a game back to be 2-1 behind in the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals. However, moments after the 42-point win, Minnesota were determined to forget all about it. Such is life in the NBA playoffs. “You’ve got to erase this one,” Edwards said. “This one is over. I know everyone is happy about this one, but we know OKC is
The horn sounded on Wednesday night to signal a third straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final, as the Florida Panthers celebrated merely by hopping over the boards and several heading over to congratulate goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. It was a subdued celebration seemingly more befitting a regular-season win for the reigning Cup champs. “I remember a few years ago, it felt like such an accomplishment from where we were at one point,” forward Matthew Tkachuk said, adding: “It’s all business and we’ve got a bigger goal in mind.” The Panthers closed out the Carolina Hurricanes in five games, with a 5-3 victory in
RSS