The Japanese soccer world was in mourning Thursday after former national team defender Naoki Matsuda lost his fight for life two days after he collapsed during training.
The 2002 World Cup defender had been in a critical condition after suffering a cardiopulmonary arrest on Tuesday and passed away shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday. Matsuda had collapsed during practice with third-tier Japan Football League club Matsumoto Yamaga. He was 34.
The news overshadowed a news conference to announce Japan's squad for its upcoming World Cup qualifying warm-up against South Korea in Sapporo next week, and Japan Football Association technical director Hiromi Hara struggled to fight back tears after being informed of the tragic news.