Italy finds training ground for Confederations Cup 2013

Per a report at Football Italia, the Azzurri decided on the Barradao (Estadio Manoel Barradas) as its training camp center in Brazil for Confederations Cup 2013.

Italy landed in Group A of the tournament along with Japan, Mexico and host Brazil, who the national team will have already faced back on 21 March.

Japan international football player Tadanari Lee returns to FC Tokyo

Per numerous reports today including The Japan Daily Press, international football forward Tadanari Lee is returning to the friendly confines of FC Tokyo, the club that discovered him nearly a decade ago.

Lee failed to find first-team minutes with English Premier League side Southampton and was eager to earn his loan back to the J-League club.

International Friendly 22 March 2013 Japan versus Canada

In 2001, Canada and Japan squared off in Confederations Cup action; the Samurai Blue ended the day 3-0 victors. This March the nations return to the pitch for a friendly affair in Doha, the Qatari capital.

This match, utilized as a tune-up, will help ready a Japan squad that four days later plays Jordan, needing only a win versus its Asian rival to book a place at the 2014 World Cup.

Check back as Football Friendlies updates this post with Japan vs. Canada news-worthy links.

Japan dominates Latvian side 3-0

A brace from 26-year-old Shinji Okazaki, a forward with German side VfB Stuttgart, proved too much for the European side in football friendly action on Wednesday. In between the two goals from Okazaki, midfielder Keisuke Honda, currently with Russian club CSKA Moscow, also scored for the Japanese national team.

Latvia's goalkeeper Andris Vanins and his back line including Reading defender Kaspars Gorkšs endured a long evening at the feet of the Japanese attack. For three photo's of the action, be sure to check out the match recap at SFGate.com.

Friendlies upcoming as Bulgaria will play Japan and Kazakhstan

Today, the Bulgarian Football Union announced a friendly in Tokyo with Japan on May 30th. A June 4th friendly with Kazakhstan in Astana will follow.

The friendlies should assist Luboslav Penev's national team in its quest to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. Bulgaria last played in the World Cup in 1998.

Currently in qualification action, Bulgaria are second with six points in Group B.

Link via Eurosport.com

Mazinho and Cléo off to Japan

Samba attacking specialists Mazinho, a 25-year-old left-footed player, and Cléo, a 27-year-old Brazilian who wanted to play for the Serbian national team, are off to the J-League.

Mazinho, on loan from Palmeiras, will join Vissel Kobe until January 2014. Cléo, who is also going out on loan to rival Kashiwa Reysol, played last year with 2012 Chinese FA Cup winner Guangzhou Evergrande.


Video via Alan Eduardo Firmino YouTube Channel.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari wants more competitive friendlies

New Brazil national team coach Luiz Felipe Scolari noted recently that the CBF, Brazil's football confederation, needs to take a critical look at future friendly matches. Tougher, mentally challenging contests against the world's best are needed as the South American squad preps to host the 2014 World Cup.

"I am going to request that, where possible, we play against the toughest opposition possible," Scolari said.

Brazil's last six opponents include: Sweden, South Africa, China, Columbia, Iraq and Japan. Only Columbia could be considered an upper echelon FIFA member.

Upcoming matches with England (February 2013) and France (June 2013) coupled with the Confederations Cup in June will boost the level of play.