Hidetoshi Nakata played in a match in Japan on Wednesday for the first time since his retirement nearly two years ago as he warmed up for an exhibition game next month.
Nakata set up both goals for his "Japan Stars" squad in a 3-2 defeat to a Tokyo Verdy reserve team in a practice match held ahead of the June 7 exhibition game against a "World Stars" side in Yokohama.
Nakata, 31, retired after the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany, where Japan's campaign ended after three first-round defeats.