Shunsuke Nakamura: I Came Back To Japan For 2010 World Cup
The prodigal son has returned...
Shunsuke Nakamura has confirmed that his return to Japan and Yokohama F Marinos is all about the World Cup.
The midfielder returned to the J-League for the first time since 2002 last week after a disappointing spell in Spain with Espanyol.
Nakamura struggled for playing time in La Liga and with the World Cup getting closer, the 31 year-old came home for regular football.
"The World Cup is getting close, and I wanted to be somewhere where I could play," he said. "I want to bring a good game to the World Cup,” Nakamura said according to the Daily Yomiuri.
"I have some bitter thoughts remaining, but if you don't move forward, it means nothing," he added.
"I understood it may have been risky to transfer [to Espanyol] so soon before the World Cup, but if I don't run into a high wall, I won't extend myself. That's the way I am.
"I think this is a new challenge, and I want to do my utmost. I want to contribute to making Marinos stronger."
"About a year and a half ago I was thinking about returning to Japan, and I wasn't thinking about joining any club but Marinos," he said. "I am happy to have arrived here without any hangups."
Nakamura has been called up to face Bahrain on Wednesday at Toyota Stadium.
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We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!
Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.
From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
Full story HERE
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.
(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)
“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.
“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.
Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.
“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.
“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”
"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."
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