Sanfrecce Hiroshima midfielder Ri Han Jae and Albirex Niigata midfielder An Yong Hak have been named to the North Korean national team for the upcoming final-round World Cup qualifier against Japan, the two J. League teams said Wednesday.
Japanese ref chosen
Toru Kamikawa of Japan was named Wednesday as one of 46 referees picked by soccer's world governing body FIFA to vie for spots in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Kamikawa, 41, officiated in the 2002 World Cup cohosted by Japan and South Korea. He will attend a workshop Feb. 12-16 in Frankfurt with the other candidates.
Toda joins Verdy
J. League club Tokyo Verdy said Thursday it has acquired midfielder Kazuyuki Toda from fellow first-division side Shimizu S-Pulse.
Capped 20 times for his country, Toda played for Japan at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea. He had an unsuccessful spell at English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur after the World Cup and rejoined Shimizu last June after the completion of his loan deal at Dutch club ADO Den Haag.
Toda has been overlooked by national team coach Zico, who took over from Frenchman Philippe Troussier after the World Cup.