New Zealand's scheduled soccer international against Japan will go ahead, despite the devastation caused by the biggest earthquake on record, which triggered a 10m tsunami that submerged the country's northeast coast.
The 8.9 magnitude quake struck on Friday and with officials estimating a death toll of more than 10,000, major sporting
events in Japan were postponed over the weekend but the football association believes two friendlies scheduled for later this month would help rally the nation.
Yesterday, Japan Football Association (JFA) general secretary Kozo Tashima confirmed the matches against Montenegro on March 25 at the Shizuoka Stadium, southwest of Tokyo, and New Zealand in the capital four days later would go ahead.
"It would mean something to stage these games, more than ever," Tashima said.
"We will hold it in Shizuoka of course, and I think having the game in Tokyo will really mean something. The matches are still two weeks away and we need to send a message to the world.
"The entire Japanese football community needs to help the country get back on its feet again," Tashima added. "Not just soccer, but I think the whole sports world in Japan needs to step up for the nation."
All 19 weekend soccer matches in Japan's top two divisions were cancelled and J-League champions Nagoya Grampus and Emperor's Cup holders Kashima Antlers had their Asian Champions League matches scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday postponed.
Kashima were hit hard by the disaster with the club's stadium and training facilities both badly damaged, the Kyodo news agency reported.
Some 150 students and staff at the JFA academy near Fukushima were evacuated for fears of a radiation leak nearby.
