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Nagatomo dedicates Inter cup win to quake victims

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

Inter Milan's Yuto Nagatomo claps at the end of his Italy Cup soccer match against AS Roma at the Olympic stadium in Rome in this file photo taken on April 19, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

Nagatomo, one of Japan's most popular European-based players since trailblazers Hidetoshi Nakata and Shunsuke Nakamura, said his experience in Italy would benefit the national side.

"There is such huge pressure playing for a big club like Inter and we have come through a lot," he said, referring to a turbulent season where Rafael Benitez was sacked after six months because of the side's slumping form following the exit of treble-winner Jose Mourinho.

"Whatever happens, sticking together and not crumbling under the pressure is something I can help bring to the Japan team."

Japan are preparing for their first full internationals since the quake and tsunami which killed around 25,000 people and the resulting nuclear crisis still raging north of Tokyo.

Nagatomo is expected to be rested against Peru but should play against the Czechs on June 7 in Yokohama.