Diehard Japanese fans have been warned to tone down their cheers to avoid trouble when the Blue Samurai clash with bitter rivals North Korea next week in their away World Cup qualifier.
Supporters should refrain from the use of loud speakers and spirited drum beating at the Kim II-Sung Stadium during Tuesday’s match in Pyongyang.
Japanese national flags and banners also will not be welcome “to avoid any potential troubles,” the Japan FA travel agency said.
“We are going to a nation with which Japan has no diplomatic relations. Should something unexpected happen, we will not have the Japanese embassy to help,” said Takeshi Kumai, an official with the travel agency.
Neymar extends Santos contract
Neymar put a definitive end to speculation about his future as he extended his contract with Santos for a further two years to 2014.
The 19-year-old had already said in September at a hastily-assembled press conference that he would not be moving in the transfer window in January, dashing the hopes of several European clubs, primarily Spanish giants Real Madrid.
On Wednesday he went a step further in committing himself to the club until the 2014 World Cup which Brazil is hosting.
Pato boost for Milan
Milan striker Alexandre Pato returned to full training yesterday and could feature in the Rossoneri’s trip to Fiorentina on November 19.
The 22-year-old Brazil striker has been out of action since September 22 after suffering a thigh injury but may be available when Milan resume Serie A duties after the international break.
Pato’s recovery could not come at a better time for coach Massimiliano Allegri considering he will be without Antonio Cassano until the new year.
Cassano underwent a cardiac procedure for a heart defect earlier this month and is out indefinitely.
Dropped for breaking curfew
Chile have dropped five players from their squad for two World Cup qualifiers after they breached a team curfew, national team boss Claudio Borghi confirmed.
West Brom defender Gonzalo Jara, Birmingham winger Jean Beausejour, Atalanta defender Carlos Carmona, Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal and Palmeiras’ Jorge Valdivia were the players involved.
It was reported that the players were returning from Valdivia’s daughter’s baptism and had been drinking.
Borghi said the players missed their curfew by 45 minutes on Tuesday and were “in a state not adequate for the Chilean national team, for a professional player”.
Hazard welcomes Inter interest
Lille midfielder Eden Hazard is proud to be a reported target of Inter.
The Belgium international has reportedly attracted interest from top European clubs, including Serie A giants Inter, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Arsenal.
“Inter have a fantastic squad,” Hazard told Il Corriere dello Sport.
“They have great champions. If you play for a club like Inter you have to be considered a top player.”
The 20-year-old insisted, however, that he will not make a decision regarding his future until the end of the season.
Hazard is under contract with Lille until June 2015.
Carragher set for training return
Liverpool vice-captain Jamie Carragher expects to return to full training next week and hopes to be fit to face Chelsea when the Premier League resumes.
The defender has missed the last two matches with a calf injury and is keen to get back into action, although he will not set himself a deadline for the trip to Stamford Bridge a week on Sunday.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever had a muscle injury in my life but I’m coming along fine,” Carragher told Liverpool Echo.
“I’m working with the physios this week and if things continue to go well the plan is to get back into full training at the start of next week.”
Barzagli out of Italy friendlies
Andrea Barzagli was heading back to Turin yesterday after pulling out of the Italy squad because of injury.
The Juventus defender strained a calf muscle in training earlier this week which ruled him out of today’s friendly in Poland.
Barzagli initially stayed with the Italy squad in a bid to regain his fitness for the friendly against Uruguay in Rome but he has since given up hope of recovering before Tuesday’s game.
Barzagli will now be examined by Juventus’ medical staff ahead of their next Serie A game against Palermo in week 12.