Ogasawara would pay for World Cup flight

(GSM) – Japanese midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara is ready to pay for his own flight to South Africa’s World Cup. Ogasawara is eager to play at a third World Cup finals.

The 31-year-old scored a goal and set up another in Kashima Antler’s 3-1 J-League victory at Yokohama on Saturday to revive his chances to be granted a place in Japan’s squad.

“I realise it’s tough for me,” Ogasawara told Sunday’s Japanese media. “But it’s not as if my chances are zero.”

The J-League player of the year has been overlooked by Japan coach Okada. It has been reported that the pair had a bust-up.

“I’m not pinning everything on making the first eleven, but if I can get into the squad in a back-up role I would be happy to. I’d pay my own money to get there”, insisted Ogasawara.

The Japanese midfielder could miss out on the World Cup after reports he clashed with coach Okada earlier this year.

Ogawara criticized the national set-up after being substituted during Japan’s 0-0 home draw with Venezuela,

Japan face the Netherlands, Cameroon and Denmark in Group E in South Africa’s World Cup which kicks off on June 11.