Former Japan international Naoki Matsuda has died after suffering a cardiac arrest. The 34-year-old defender collapsed during training with his club side Matsumoto Yamaga on Tuesday.
He was initially diagnosed with heatstroke after a 15-minute run. He was unconscious on his arrival at hospital but showed no response to heart massage.
Ex-Japan coach Philippe Troussier said: �It�s terrible to see someone die at such a young age. �It�s a big shock. He was a great guy and I felt a close bond to him. My thoughts go to his family. �He was a reliable and strong player and key for Japan�s World Cup side in 2002.
�It�s bad news for Japanese football. We�d all hoped of course he would pull through. �To see someone taken away doing something they love, so suddenly, at 34 is tragic. It�s awful news.�
Matsuda played 40 times for Japan, including the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea. He also played 385 J-League games for the Yokohama F Marinos from 1995 to 2010, helping the team to three J-League titles.
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