(1)Japan brace for Federations Cup

(1)Japan brace for Federations Cup

PARIS, France - Japan skipper Hidetoshi Nakata (L) and defender Yutaka Akita (C) run in the field June 13 in preparation for the Confederations Cup tournament scheduled to begin in France on June 18.

(2)Argentina beat Japan 4-1

(2)Argentina beat Japan 4-1

OSAKA, Japan - Japan defender Yutaka Akita (C) heads the ball for a goal in the 54th minute of the Kirin Cup against Argentina at Nagai Stadium in Osaka on June 8. Argentina won 4-1.

Japan defender Akita meets press

Japan defender Akita meets press

MORI, Japan - Japan defender Yutaka Akita speaks about the World Cup finals in Mori, Shizuoka Prefecture, on June 5, a day after Japan drew with Belgium 2-2 in a group H match at Saitama Stadium 2002.(World Cup 2002)

Emperor, empress encourage Japan players of World Cup soccer finals

Emperor, empress encourage Japan players of World Cup soccer finals

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko encourage Japanese national soccer players and the coach on May 25 at Tokyo's National Stadium ahead of the World Cup soccer finals that begins May 31. On the right side are (from R to L) defender Yutaka Akita, forward Masashi Nakayama and Japan coach Philippe Troussier.

(2)Veterans stunned at World Cup call-ups

(2)Veterans stunned at World Cup call-ups

KASHIMA, Japan - Veteran Yutaka Akita andwers questions at a news conference in Kashima on May 17 on his selection as a member of Japan's national team for the World Cup. Akita said, ''I'm stunned. When I heard my name read out, I thought I was watching 'Candid Camera'.''

(2)23 members of Japan's World Cup squad

(2)23 members of Japan's World Cup squad

TOKYO, Japan - (From L to R) Yutaka Akita (Kashima Antlers), Toshihiro Hattori (Jubilo Iwata), Ryuzo Morioka (Shimizu S-Pulse) and Tsuneyasu Miyamoto (Gamba Osaka).

Benitez on the attack in Copa America tourney

Benitez on the attack in Copa America tourney

Striker Miguel Benitez (L) gets around Japanese defender Yutaka Akita in the first half of Paraguay's 4-0 triumph over Japan in the Copa America tournament in Asuncion on July 2.

Japan defender Akita meets press

Japan defender Akita meets press

MORI, Japan - Japan defender Yutaka Akita speaks about the World Cup finals in Mori, Shizuoka Prefecture, on June 5, a day after Japan drew with Belgium 2-2 in a group H match at Saitama Stadium 2002.(World Cup 2002)

(2)Veterans stunned at World Cup call-ups

(2)Veterans stunned at World Cup call-ups

KASHIMA, Japan - Veteran Yutaka Akita andwers questions at a news conference in Kashima on May 17 on his selection as a member of Japan's national team for the World Cup. Akita said, ''I'm stunned. When I heard my name read out, I thought I was watching 'Candid Camera'.''

(2)23 members of Japan's World Cup squad

(2)23 members of Japan's World Cup squad

TOKYO, Japan - (From L to R) Yutaka Akita (Kashima Antlers), Toshihiro Hattori (Jubilo Iwata), Ryuzo Morioka (Shimizu S-Pulse) and Tsuneyasu Miyamoto (Gamba Osaka).

(1)Japan brace for Federations Cup

(1)Japan brace for Federations Cup

PARIS, France - Japan skipper Hidetoshi Nakata (L) and defender Yutaka Akita (C) run in the field June 13 in preparation for the Confederations Cup tournament scheduled to begin in France on June 18. (Kyodo)

(2)Argentina beat Japan 4-1

(2)Argentina beat Japan 4-1

OSAKA, Japan - Japan defender Yutaka Akita (C) heads the ball for a goal in the 54th minute of the Kirin Cup against Argentina at Nagai Stadium in Osaka on June 8. Argentina won 4-1. (Kyodo)

Benitez on the attack in Copa America tourney

Benitez on the attack in Copa America tourney

Striker Miguel Benitez (L) gets around Japanese defender Yutaka Akita in the first half of Paraguay's 4-0 triumph over Japan in the Copa America tournament in Asuncion on July 2.