Japan´s Kagawa ready for Asian Cup

Borussia Dortmund goal-machine Shinji Kagawa vowed Tuesday to lead Japan’s firepower at next month’s Asian Cup in Qatar where the three-time champions aim to regain the title they lost in 2007.

“If I’m chosen, then I’ve got to help the team win. That’s the bottom line,” the 21-year-old midfielder told Kyodo news agency as he returned home during the Bundesliga’s winter break.

Kagawa is on Japan’s provisional list of 50 players for the January 7-29 Asian Cup. Blue Samurai coach Alberto Zaccheroni will announce the final-23 line-up on Friday.

“The Asian Cup is an important tournament. A good result there is absolutely crucial to us,” said Kagawa, who has led table-topping Dortmund’s scoring with eight goals alongside Paraguayan Lucas Barrios in the first half of the season.

“I’m very happy with the results I’ve had,” said Kagawa, a former J-League Cerezo Osaka player who signed a three-year contract with Dortmund in May but failed to make Japan’s squad for the June-July World Cup in South Africa.

Nevertheless, he is widely seen as one of the players to watch in the upcoming Asia Cup tournament.