Soccer: Ganaha handed 6-match ban for violating doping rules

Soccer: Ganaha handed 6-match ban for violating doping rules

KAWASAKI, Japan - Kawasaki Frontale striker Kazuki Ganaha (C) is surrounded by reporters after he took part in a training session in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. on May 8. The J-League imposed a six-match ban on him for violating the league's anti-doping code by taking an intravenous injection. Ganaha is the first player who took doping-related punishment by the J-League since its inauguration in 1993.

Japan end year on high with Saudi win

Japan end year on high with Saudi win

SAPPORO, Japan - Japan striker Kazuki Ganaha (L) scores his second goal and Japan's third during the second half of a qualifying game against Saudi Arabia for the 2007 Asian Cup at Sapporo Dome on Nov. 15. Japan beat Saudi Arabia 3-1.

Japan end year on high with Saudi win

Japan end year on high with Saudi win

SAPPORO, Japan - Japan striker Kazuki Ganaha scores with a header during the first half of a qualifying game against Saudi Arabia for the 2007 Asian Cup at Sapporo Dome on Nov. 15. Japan beat Saudi Arabia 3-1.

Japan end year on high with Saudi win

Japan end year on high with Saudi win

SAPPORO, Japan - Japan striker Kazuki Ganaha celebrates after a headed goal during the first half of a qualifying game against Saudi Arabia for the 2007 Asian Cup at Sapporo Dome on Nov. 15. Japan beat Saudi Arabia 3-1.

Japan cruise past India

Japan cruise past India

BANGALORE, India - Midfielder Kengo Nakamura (far right) joins teammates Kazuki Ganaha and Alessandro Santos after scoring the team's third goal in their penultimate qualifier for the 2007 Asian Cup against India at Sree Kanterava Stadium in Bangalore on Oct. 11. Japan defeated India 3-0.

Japan edge Yemen 1-0 in Asian Cup qualifier

Japan edge Yemen 1-0 in Asian Cup qualifier

SANAA, Yemen - Japan's Kazuki Ganaha celebrates after scoring the only goal of the game against Yemen in injury time as Japan scraped past Yemen 1-0 in their Asian Cup qualifier in Sanaa on Sept. 6.

Japan edge Yemen 1-0 in Asian Cup qualifier

Japan edge Yemen 1-0 in Asian Cup qualifier

SANAA, Yemen - Japan's Kazuki Ganaha (L, front) is congratulated by Seiichiro Maki (L in back) and Marcus Tulio Tanaka (R) after scoring the only goal of the game against Yemen in injury time as Japan scraped past Yemen 1-0 in their Asian Cup qualifier in Sanaa on Sept. 6.

Japan edge Yemen 1-0 in Asian Cup qualifier

Japan edge Yemen 1-0 in Asian Cup qualifier

SANAA, Yemen - Japan's second-half substitute Kazuki Ganaha (front) scores the only goal of the game against Yemen in injury time as Japan scraped past Yemen 1-0 in their Asian Cup qualifier in Sanaa on Sept. 6.

Japan edge Yemen 1-0 in Asian Cup qualifier

Japan edge Yemen 1-0 in Asian Cup qualifier

SANAA, Yemen - Japan's second-half substitute Kazuki Ganaha (C) scores the only goal of the game against Yemen in injury time as Japan scraped past Yemen 1-0 in their Asian Cup qualifier in Sanaa on Sept. 6.

Japan vs Trinidad & Tobago friendly

Japan vs Trinidad & Tobago friendly

TOKYO, Japan - A first-half shooting attempt by Japan striker Kazuki Ganaha (R) is blocked by a Trinidad and Tobago defender during the first half of their friendly match at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Aug. 9.

Japan vs Trinidad & Tobago friendly

Japan vs Trinidad & Tobago friendly

TOKYO, Japan - A first-half shooting attempt by Japan striker Kazuki Ganaha (R) is blocked by a Trinidad and Tobago defender during the first half of their friendly match at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Aug. 9. (Kyodo)

Japan edge Yemen 1-0 in Asian Cup qualifier

Japan edge Yemen 1-0 in Asian Cup qualifier

SANAA, Yemen - Japan's second-half substitute Kazuki Ganaha (C) scores the only goal of the game against Yemen in injury time as Japan scraped past Yemen 1-0 in their Asian Cup qualifier in Sanaa on Sept. 6. (Kyodo)

Japan edge Yemen 1-0 in Asian Cup qualifier

Japan edge Yemen 1-0 in Asian Cup qualifier

SANAA, Yemen - Japan's Kazuki Ganaha (L, front) is congratulated by Seiichiro Maki (L in back) and Marcus Tulio Tanaka (R) after scoring the only goal of the game against Yemen in injury time as Japan scraped past Yemen 1-0 in their Asian Cup qualifier in Sanaa on Sept. 6. (Kyodo)

Japan edge Yemen 1-0 in Asian Cup qualifier

Japan edge Yemen 1-0 in Asian Cup qualifier

SANAA, Yemen - Japan's Kazuki Ganaha celebrates after scoring the only goal of the game against Yemen in injury time as Japan scraped past Yemen 1-0 in their Asian Cup qualifier in Sanaa on Sept. 6. (Kyodo)

Japan edge Yemen 1-0 in Asian Cup qualifier

Japan edge Yemen 1-0 in Asian Cup qualifier

SANAA, Yemen - Japan's second-half substitute Kazuki Ganaha (front) scores the only goal of the game against Yemen in injury time as Japan scraped past Yemen 1-0 in their Asian Cup qualifier in Sanaa on Sept. 6. (Kyodo)

Japan cruise past India

Japan cruise past India

BANGALORE, India - Midfielder Kengo Nakamura (far right) joins teammates Kazuki Ganaha and Alessandro Santos after scoring the team's third goal in their penultimate qualifier for the 2007 Asian Cup against India at Sree Kanterava Stadium in Bangalore on Oct. 11. Japan defeated India 3-0. (Kyodo)

Japan end year on high with Saudi win

Japan end year on high with Saudi win

SAPPORO, Japan - Japan striker Kazuki Ganaha (L) scores his second goal and Japan's third during the second half of a qualifying game against Saudi Arabia for the 2007 Asian Cup at Sapporo Dome on Nov. 15. Japan beat Saudi Arabia 3-1. (Kyodo)

Japan end year on high with Saudi win

Japan end year on high with Saudi win

SAPPORO, Japan - Japan striker Kazuki Ganaha celebrates after a headed goal during the first half of a qualifying game against Saudi Arabia for the 2007 Asian Cup at Sapporo Dome on Nov. 15. Japan beat Saudi Arabia 3-1. (Kyodo)

Japan end year on high with Saudi win

Japan end year on high with Saudi win

SAPPORO, Japan - Japan striker Kazuki Ganaha scores with a header during the first half of a qualifying game against Saudi Arabia for the 2007 Asian Cup at Sapporo Dome on Nov. 15. Japan beat Saudi Arabia 3-1. (Kyodo)

Soccer: Ganaha handed 6-match ban for violating doping rules

Soccer: Ganaha handed 6-match ban for violating doping rules

KAWASAKI, Japan - Kawasaki Frontale striker Kazuki Ganaha (C) is surrounded by reporters after he took part in a training session in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. on May 8. The J-League imposed a six-match ban on him for violating the league's anti-doping code by taking an intravenous injection. Ganaha is the first player who took doping-related punishment by the J-League since its inauguration in 1993. (Kyodo)