Japan's Tanaka calls World Cup exit 'lame'

TOKYO, Jun 1: Injured defender Makoto Tanaka returned home from Japan's World Cup base in Germany today, bitterly describing his enforced exit as 'lame'.

''It's lame having to come home this early,'' he said upon arriving in Japan. ''It's a shame. That's all I can say about it.'' Tanaka had been struggling with a hamstring injury but had asked Japan coach Zico for more time to recover before the team's World Cup opener against Australia on June 12.

Zico refused, however, and called up Teruyuki Moniwa as a replacement in midweek.

Japan are also drawn alongside Croatia and World Cup holders Brazil in Group F.

REUTERS