Zaccheroni's Samurai Blue will Not Give Up!

Zaccheroni intends to be back in Japan for charity match
Thursday 17th March, 02:01 AM JST

TOKYO —
Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni intends to return to the quake-hit country in time for a charity match on March 29 in Osaka, Japan Football Association technical director Hiromi Hara said Wednesday. ‘‘We see this charity match as the first activity to support the people in the affected areas,’’ Zaccheroni said in a statement. ‘‘We hope to encourage them even a little bit.’‘

Zaccheroni flew to Italy with his four assistants to reassure their families of their safety, a day after Friday’s devastating earthquake in northeastern Japan.

Japan Today© 2011 Kyodo News

イタリアに一時帰国している日本代表のアルベルト・ザッケローニ監督が、来週中にも日本に戻ることが分かった。同監督は、29日に大阪の長居陸上競技場で開催されるJリーグ選抜とのチャリティーマッチで日本代表の指揮を執る予定となっている。

The coach of Japan's national team spoke to Italy's "Il Resto del Carlino".

I have a strong desire to return to Japan to help the people of Japan through football. That is my job. I am convinced that football can contribute to the recovery of the country.

In the seven months I have known the Japanese, I have remained conquered by their sense of duty, by their spirit of sacrifice, by their dignity.

I am not a hero. They are in anxiety and I am very worried. But I want to help these people.