Osim to sign up as Japan coach on July 21, report

TOKYO, July 14 (Reuters) Former Yugoslavia soccer coach Ivica Osim will sign up as Japan's coach on July 21, according to the Kyodo news agency today.

The 65-year-old, who currently coaches J-League club JEF United Chiba, had been widely tipped for the national position after Zico's decision to step down after Japan's disappointing performance at the World Cup.

''Today, we decided the signing will be on July 21,'' Kyodo reported Japan Football Association President Saburo Kawabuchi as saying today.

Japan are scheduled to play their first match under Osim on Aug. 9, against Trinidad&Tobago at National Stadium in Tokyo.

REUTERS AY BST1907