World NewsJapan's Yemen Safety Fears |
JAPAN are considering postponing next month's trip to Yemen for their Asian Cup qualifier due to fears over safety.
Japan are set to fly to Yemen on January 2 for the meeting at the Ali Mohsen Al-Muraisi Stadium in Sana'a four days later.
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the alleged terrorist behind the Christmas Day airliner bomb plot, has reportedly told FBI agents he is one of many would-be terrorists in Yemen ready to carry out attacks in the near future.
And last month a Japanese engineer was kidnapped by an armed group near Sana'a. The 63-year-old was released after eight days.
The Japan Football Association are hoping to work closely with the Asian Football Confederation and the Yemen Football Association, although contact has been made difficult due to the Christmas and New Year holidays.
"We will work with our Foreign Ministry and decide early next month," Japan Football Association president Motoaki Inukai told the Nikkan Sports newspaper.
A draw for Japan would see Takeshi Okada's side qualify for the Asian Cup from Group A and also virtually end Yemen's hopes of reaching the 2011 finals in Qatar.
Okada has included 13 uncapped players in his 19-man squad after opting to rest the majority of his first choice players.
Copyright (c) 2009 Press Association
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