Iraq’s coach Zico emotional ahead of tie against Japan

Brazilian legend and Iraq coach Zico admits he feels “emotional” in playing his young and largely untested squad in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday against Japan, whom he coached 2002-2006. “For me it is very, very nice to be back in Japan and very emotional because I worked here 15 years and have a good impression of the Japanese,” he told local media on Sunday, as his squad flew in after a training camp in South Korea. The 59-year-old, who starred in the World Cup in 1978, 1982 and 1986 without lifting the trophy, ended his playing career in Japan in 1994. He also helped develop J-League side Kashima Antlers, where he played from 1992-1994, as a technical director, and led Japan to Asian Cup victory in 2004. “I have built up many things here and I am happy that the Japanese people realise that,” Zico told Kyodo News. He was credited for calling up Jubilo Iwata defender Yuichi Komano, Wolfsburg midfielder Makoto Hasebe (Wolfsburg) and Gamba Osaka playmaker Yasuhito Endo for their first international duties.