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Nagatomo dedicates Inter cup win to quake victims

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-05-30 17:03

Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder (L) and Yuto Nagatomo (R) hold the trophy as they celebrate with their teammates after winning the Italian Cup final soccer match against Palermo in Rome May 29, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

TOKYO - Inter Milan defender Yuto Nagatomo declared it 'mission accomplished' after winning the Italian Cup for the victims of the deadly earthquake and tsunami which devastated northeast Japan in March.

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The Japan full-back told Monday's Japanese media the destruction caused by the March 11 disaster had given him extra incentive before Inter's 3-1 win over Palermo on Sunday.

"Japan is suffering with some difficult problems," Nagatomo told the Nikkan Sports newspaper. "It's up to us to put in the effort to deliver some good news for the victims. It's our mission."

Nagatomo, called up for Japan's home friendlies against Peru and the Czech Republic on June 1 and 7, said he had grown as a player after moving to Inter in February.

"I feel I've gained 10 years of experience in one year," said the 24-year-old, who joined Inter on loan from Serie A rivals Cesena after helping Japan win the Asian Cup.

"I've had to learn from mistakes and keeping scaling walls, like before the (2010) World Cup."