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Japan tune up for Austria friendly

KLAGENFURT, Austria - Japan midfielders Junichi Inamoto (L) and Daisuke Matsui practice in preparation for their friendly match against Austria in Klagenfurt, Austria, on Sept. 6.

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Poland next stop for midfielder Matsui

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows former Japan international midfielder Daisuke Matsui, who has joined Polish first-division side Lechia Gdansk, according to the club's announcement on July 3, 2013. The 32-year-old Matsui had been looking for a new club after his deal expired with Bulgarian club Slavia Sofia.

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Former Japan midfielder Matsui joins Bulgarian club

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in August 2011 shows former Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui. The 31-year-old Matsui has joined Bulgarian first-division club Slavia Sofia, the club said Sept. 11, 2012, on its official website.

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Matsui faces Matsuzaka

DURHAM, United States - Japanese veteran slugger Hideki Matsui, who is on a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, grounds out against Pawtucket Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka during the first inning of a Triple-A game between Durham Bulls and Pawtucket in Durham, North Carolina, on May 17, 2012.

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Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui

DIJON, France - Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui shows his new jersey during a press conference held in Dijon, France, on Aug. 3, 2011, to announce his move to Dijon from Grenoble.

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Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui

DIJON, France - Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui is pictured during a press conference held in Dijon, France, on Aug. 3, 2011, to announce his move to Dijon from Grenoble.

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Matsui to leave Grenoble

DIJON, France - Grenoble's Daisuke Matsui in action during a French Ligue 2 game against Dijon in Dijon, France, on May 16, 2011, in a 2-1 loss. Matsui said the same day he would leave the team at season's end. The team will be playing in the third division next season.

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Matsui to leave Grenoble

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows Japanese soccer player Daisuke Matsui. The World Cup midfielder said May 16, 2011, he would leave French Ligue 2 side Grenoble at season's end.

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Matsui encourages children from quake-hit area

KYOTO, Japan - Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui (R) plays with a boy evacuated from quake-hit Fukushima Prefecture during a soccer game in Kyoto on March 25, 2011. Matsui, who plays for Grenoble in the French second division, returned to Japan to participate in a quake-relief charity match between the Japan national team and a J-League select side in Osaka on March 29.

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Grenoble's Matsui against Istres

GRENOBLE, France - Grenoble (front) midfielder Daisuke Matsui controls the ball during a French second division soccer match against Istres in Grenoble on Feb. 18, 2011. Grenoble lost 2-0.

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Japan gear up for Asian Cup

DOHA, Qatar - Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui (R), who plays for Russian club Tom Tomsk, and striker Shinji Okazaki (C) practice with teammates in Doha on Jan. 7, 2011, ahead of the Asian Cup soccer tournament.

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Japan draw with S. Korea in friendly

SEOUL, South Korea - Japan striker Daisuke Matsui (L) and South Korea midfielder Lee Young Pyo vie for the ball during the first half of a friendly at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Oct. 12, 2010. The game ended scoreless.

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Zaccheroni's Japan to debut vs. Argentina

SAITAMA, Japan - Japan's Daisuke Matsui (L) and Shinji Kagawa chase the ball during a practice session at Saitama Stadium 2002 on Oct. 7, 2010, ahead of a friendly against Argentina the following day.

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Japan beat Paraguay in friendly

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui (R) in action during the first half of a friendly against Paraguay at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama on Sept 4, 2010. Japan won 1-0.

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Japan beat Paraguay in friendly

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui (L) gets airborne with Paraguay defender Aureliano Torres during the first half of a friendly at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama on Sept 4, 2010. Japan won 1-0.

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Japan's World Cup squad return home from South Africa

KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Japan - Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui attends a news conference at Kansai International Airport near Osaka on July 1, 2010, after Japan's World Cup squad returned home from Johannesburg, South Africa. Japan were eliminated from the World Cup finals after a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the second round.

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Japan vs Paraguay in World Cup 2nd round

PRETORIA, South Africa - Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui (R) tussles with Paraguay midfielder Enrique Vera (13) during the first half of a World Cup second-round match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, on June 29, 2010.

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Paraguay beat Japan to go to World Cup q'finals

PRETORIA, South Africa - Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui (2nd from R) fires a shot in the first half of a World Cup second-round match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, on June 29, 2010. Paraguay won 5-3 on penalties.

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Paraguay beat Japan to go to World Cup q'finals

PRETORIA, South Africa - Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui (L) and Paraguay midfielder Nestor Ortigoza vie for the ball in the first half of a World Cup second-round match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, on June 29, 2010. Paraguay won 5-3 on penalties.

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Japan overpower Denmark to cruise into last 16

RUSTENBURG, South Africa - Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui (C,8), striker Shinji Okazaki (R) and their teammates celebrate after beating Denmark 3-1 in a World Cup Group E match at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa, on June 24, 2010, to advance to the knockout round of the tournament. Looking is midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura (top), whose participation in the tournament has been minimal.

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Japan overpower Denmark to cruise into last 16

RUSTENBURG, South Africa - Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen (L) tries to save the ball as Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui tries to score in the first half of a World Cup Group E match at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa, on June 24, 2010. Japan beat Denmark 3-1 to advance to the second round of the tournament.

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Netherlands beat Japan 1-0 in World Cup Group E

DURBAN, South Africa - Rafael Van der Vaart of the Netherlands passes Japan's Daisuke Matsui (8) and Yuichi Komano (3) during a World Cup Group E match at Durban Stadium, South Africa, on June 19, 2010. The Netherlands won 1-0.

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Netherlands beat Japan 1-0 at World Cup

DURBAN, South Africa - Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui (8) is surrounded by Netherlands players during the second half of a FIFA World Cup Group E match between Japan and the Netherlands at Durban Stadium on June 19, 2010. The Netherlands won 1-0.

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Netherlands beat Japan 1-0 in World Cup Group E match

DURBAN, South Africa - Japan coach Takeshi Okada (R) shakes hands with midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura as Nakamura replaces Daisuke Matsui during the second half of a World Cup Group E match against the Netherlands at Durban Stadium in Durban, South Africa, on June 19, 2010. The Netherlands won 1-0.

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Netherlands beat Japan 1-0 in World Cup Group E match

DURBAN, South Africa - Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui (C) jumps to avoid a tackle by Netherlands defender Giovanni Van Bronckhorst during the second half of their World Cup Group E match at Durban Stadium in Durban, South Africa, on June 19, 2010. The Netherlands won 1-0.

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Japan vs Netherlands in World Cup Group E match

DURBAN, South Africa - (From L to R) Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder, Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui and Netherlands defender Giovanni Van Bronckhorst vie for the ball during the first half of their World Cup Group E match at Durban Stadium in Durban, South Africa, on June 19, 2010.

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Japan vs Netherlands at World Cup

DURBAN, South Africa - (From left) Japan's Keisuke Honda, Marcus Tulio Tanaka and Daisuke Matsui sing the national anthem with their arms around each other before a FIFA World Cup Group E match between Japan and the Netherlands at Durban Stadium on June 19, 2010.

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Japan vs Netherlands at World Cup

DURBAN, South Africa - Japan defender Yuji Nakazawa (22) and midfielder Daisuke Matsui (8) compete for the ball with Dutch forward Robin Van Persie (C) during the first half of a FIFA World Cup Group E match between Japan and the Netherlands at Durban Stadium on June 19, 2010.

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Japan vs Netherlands at World Cup

DURBAN, South Africa - Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui (8) competes for the ball with Dutch midfielder Rafael Van Der Vaart (23) during the first half of a FIFA World Cup Group E match between Japan and the Netherlands at Durban Stadium on June 19, 2010.

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Japan beats Cameroon 1-0 at World Cup

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa - Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui (L) falls after competing for the ball with Cameroon defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto in a World Cup Group E match between Japan and Cameroon at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, on June 14, 2010. Japan won 1-0.

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Japan vs. Cameroon in World Cup

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa - Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui (L) tussles with Cameroon midfielder Joel Matip during the first half of a World Cup match at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, on June 14, 2010.

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Japan's World Cup squad begin training camp in Switzerland

SAAS-FEE, Switzerland - Keisuke Honda (L) and Daisuke Matsui vie for the ball during a practice session in the high Alpine village of Saas-Fee, Switzerland, on May 26, 2010. The Japanese squad for the World Cup finals arrived there earlier in the day for a training camp.

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Japan's World Cup squad begin training camp in Switzerland

SAAS-FEE, Switzerland - Members of Japan's 23-squad for the World Cup finals -- (from L to R) Yuto Nagatomo, Takayuki Morimoto, Daisuke Matsui and Yoshito Okubo -- practice in Saas-Fee, Switzerland, on May 26, 2010. The Japanese squad arrived there earlier in the day for a training camp.

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Japan's World Cup squad begin training camp in Switzerland

SAAS-FEE, Switzerland - Members of Japan's 23-squad for the World Cup finals -- (from L to R) Yuto Nagatomo, Keisuke Honda and Daisuke Matsui -- practice in Saas-Fee, Switzerland, on May 26, 2010. The Japanese squad arrived there earlier in the day for a training camp.

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Japan's World Cup squad begin training camp in Switzerland

SAAS-FEE, Switzerland - Members of Japan's 23-squad for the World Cup finals -- (from L to R) Yuji Nakazawa, Yuto Nagatomo, Keisuke Honda and Daisuke Matsui -- practice in Saas-Fee, Switzerland, on May 26, 2010. The Japanese squad arrived there earlier in the day for a training camp.

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Matsui in Japan World Cup squad

GRENOBLE, France - Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui, now with France's Grenoble, speaks about the upcoming World Cup finals in South Africa during a press conference in Grenoble, France, on May 10, 2010, after being picked as one of the 23 members of the national team.

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H. Matsui, Matsuzaka face off

BOSTON, United States - Boston Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka throws against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park on May 6, 2010.

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H. Matsui, Matsuzaka face off

BOSTON, United States - Boston Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka from Japan pitches against compatriot Hideki Matsui, the Los Angeles Angels designated hitter, in the third inning of a game at Fenway Park in Boston on May 6, 2010.

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H. Matsui, Matsuzaka face off

BOSTON, United States - Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Hideki Matsui from Japan stands at bat against compatriot Daisuke Matsuzaka with the Boston Red Sox in the first inning of a game at Fenway Park in Boston on May 6, 2010.

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H. Matsui, Matsuzaka face off

BOSTON, United States - Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Hideki Matsui from Japan draws a walk from compatriot Daisuke Matsuzaka with the Boston Red Sox in the first inning of a game at Fenway Park in Boston on May 6, 2010.

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H. Matsui, Matsuzaka face off

BOSTON, United States - Boston Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka from Japan pitches against compatriot Hideki Matsui, the Los Angeles Angels designated hitter, in the first inning of a game at Fenway Park in Boston on May 6, 2010.

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H. Matsui, Matsuzaka face off

BOSTON, United States - Boston Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka throws against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park on May 6, 2010.

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Astros' Matsui and Red Sox's Matsuzaka at Ft. Myers

FORT MYERS, United States - Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui (R) chats with Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka (L) during spring training games in Fort Myers, Florida, on March 21, 2010. Matsuzaka pitched well in a minor league intra-squad game. Matsuzaka's spring debut is set for March 25 against the Florida Marlins in Fort Myers after he was delayed by back and neck ailments.

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Japan edge Bahrain 2-0 in final qualifier for 2011 Asian Cup

TOYOTA, Japan - Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui (R) gets in a shot despite the attentions of Bahrain's Saleh Abdulhameed in the second half of their final qualifier for the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar at the Toyota Stadium in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, on March 3, 2010. Japan won 2-0.

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Japan hold World Cup hosts S. Africa to 0-0 draw

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa - Japanese midfielder Daisuke Matsui (2nd from R) fires in a shot in the second half of a friendly match in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on Nov. 14, 2009. Japan held 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa to a 0-0 draw.

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Japan midfielder Matsui to join French club Grenoble

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui who is set to move to Grenoble from fellow French first-division club St Etienne.

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Saint Etienne midfielder Matsui joins Japan for World Cup

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan - Saint Etienne midfielder Daisuke Matsui (C) joins the Japan team in a warm-up in Uzbekistan on June 2 for a key World Cup qualifier in Tashkent on June 6.

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Saint Etienne midfielder Matsui joins Japan for World Cup

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan - Saint Etienne midfielder Daisuke Matsui joins the Japan team in a warm-up in Uzbekistan on June 2 for a key World Cup qualifier in Tashkent on June 6.

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Matsui signs 3-year deal with French club St Etienne

NAGOYA, Japan - Japanese midfielder Daisuke Matsui poses for a photo wearing a French first-division club St Etienne shirt in Nagoya on May 20. Matsui signed a three-year deal with St Etienne the same day.

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Matsui on target as Le Mans beat Monaco

LE MANS, France - Japanese midfielder Daisuke Matsui scores a first-half winner to give Le Mans a 1-0 home win over Monaco in the French first division on Jan. 26.