Japan invited to play in 2011 Copa America

AFP - 4 June 2009 16:25

Japan striker Yoshito Okubo (centre) battles for the ball with Belgium defender Gill Swert (right) during the first half of their Kirin Cup match in Tokyo, May 31. Japan have been invited to play in the 2011 Copa America in Argentina, following their maiden appearance in the 1999 edition, the Japan Football Association said Thursday.

TOKYO (AFP) - Japan have been invited to play in the 2011 Copa America in Argentina, following their maiden appearance in the 1999 edition, the Japan Football Association said Thursday.

Junji Ogura, the association's vice president, learned of the invitation in Nassau, Bahamas, where he was attending the congress of football's world governing body FIFA, a spokeswoman for the FA said.

"We'll have more details when the vice president returns home," she added.

Japan competed in the South American continental championship in 1999 in Paraguay under French coach Philippe Troussier.

The Blue Samurai were knocked out at the group stage with one point, losing to Paraguay and Peru and drawing 1-1 with Bolivia.