2011 Copa América: Japan decides to play!

2011 AFC Asian Cup champions Japan has decided to once more change its decision and the nation will now play in the upcoming 2011 Copa América, the South American football championships, to be held in Argentina from July 1 to 24. The Japan Football Association took this revised decision after requests from South America. It had decided last week to pull out in view of the situation in the island nation following the earthquake and tsunami on March 11.

Japan Football Association vice president Kozo Tashima told the media, "The JFA decided to participate in the Copa America today. We are in the process of notifying CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation) as we speak."

Japan will now mainly play with a side made-up of Europe-based players as the J-League will be running during the period when the Copa América will be played and clubs had opposed any move of deny them of their best players. The JFA would send a special request to FIFA to help them get release of their players from European clubs as their participation is under the 'guest status' which doesn't force clubs to release players.

Meanwhile Japan's change of position and deciding to play has come as welcome news for the Copa América organisers as 2010 FIFA World Cup winners Spain had declined an invitation to replace Japan. This was a result of the Spanish FA's board of directors meeting earlier this week as they had to factor in own calendar congestion in Spanish football.