Costa Rica deny they will replace Japan at Copa America

The Costa Rican football federation (Fedefutbol) has released an official statement denying reports that they will replace Japan at the 2011 Copa America.



Fox Sports reported that Japan could withdraw from this summer's Copa America as they are struggling to select a representative team for the tournament, and that Costa Rica could be set to take their place.



However, Fedefutbol denied that they had been contacted to take part, and a statement on their official website reads: "Fedefutbol wishes to announce that as of today, May 10, Costa Rica have not been officially approached regarding participation at the 2011 Copa America, to be held in Argentina in July."



The Asian champions initially opted to withdraw from the Copa America following the earthquake and tsunami that struck the nation in March, but eventually reconsidered their decision following a request from tournament organisers.



Nevertheless, Japan could now withdraw after several clubs, who are under no obligation to supply personnel, were reluctant to release their players for the tournament. The likes of Borussia Dortmund, Stuttgart, Koln and Inter reportedly would prefer to keep their Japanese players in Europe.



Earlier reports suggested that Dutch clubs such as Feyenoord, Vitesse and VVV were ready to allow participation, but it is unclear whether Japan will travel to South America following the recent developments.



An official statement regarding Japan's involvement in the tournament is expected on Friday.




View the Original article

Read More

J.League games postponed after Japan earthquake

Norwich are a best price 3/4 to continue their promotion push against Bristol City tonight – see all the best odds here…



This month's remaining J.League games have been postponed in the wake of the devastating earthquake that hit the north east of Japan last week.



The matches affected are 19 in Division One and Division Two this coming weekend, a full programme on March 19 and 20, and Division Two's ten games scheduled for March 26 and 27.



The J.League Cup, set to kick-off on Wednesday, has also been postponed.



The 9.0-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit the north-east coastline of the country forced the postponement of last weekend's league games and this week's Asian Champions League games involving Kashima Antlers and Nagoya Grampus.



"Things are very serious right now," J.League chairman Kazumi Ohigashi said.



"With the aftershocks continuing and (us being) unable to guarantee complete safety at all the stadiums, the J.League has made the decision to cancel all J1, J2 and Nabisco (League) Cup matches for the rest of March.



"The J.League, Nabisco Cup fixtures are tight as it is. We have no choice but to play games in July. The plan is to play the existing number of J.League and Nabisco Cup games, and to do that we have to play during the Copa America."



Ohigashi said he spoke with Vegalta Sendai President Yoichi Shirohata, who told him that the club was unable to function at the moment.



"He said the clubhouse and the stadium were in ruins," Ohigashi said. "Needless to say, the players aren't training. The foreign players have gone home and some of the players from Kansai have gone back, too.



"They're struggling to live over there. It's not about training or the game."



On Sunday, Japan Football Association (JFA) general secretary Kozo Tashima confirmed friendly internationals against Montenegro on March 25 at the Shizuoka Stadium, southwest of Tokyo, and New Zealand in the capital four days later would go ahead.



"The matches are still two weeks away and we need to send a message to the rest of the world," Tashima said.



Norwich are a best price 3/4 to continue their promotion push against Bristol City tonight – see all the best odds here…



View the Original article

Read More

Japan earthquake causes postponement of matches

Listen to the easyodds FA Cup betting podcast for expert tipping on all the weekend matches!



This weekend's J-League programme has been postponed after a massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami affected large parts of Japan.



Measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale - the most powerful to hit Japan since records began - the earthquake struck about 400km north-east of Tokyo at 1446 local time.



There have been at least 60 people killed, but many thousands are reported missing.



The country's weekend football programme has been called off, with a total of 19 games across the J.League's first and second division postponed.



Listen to the easyodds FA Cup betting podcast for expert tipping on all the weekend matches!


View the Original article

Read More