Japan want WC players to use oxygen tanks
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
TOKYO, Apr 13 (Reuters): Japan coach Takeshi Okada has ordered his players to use oxgyen tanks ahead of the World Cup to build up their high-altitude resistance.
Local media reported that Okada, whose team play two of their Group E games at more than 1,000 metres above sea level in South Africa in June, would ask his players to use the apparatus daily.
"After the squad is named I will get the players to use oxygen masks in small doses for an hour a day," Okada told the Nikkan Sports. "They can use the tanks while watching TV."
Japan face World Cup-bound South Korea at home on May 24 before flying to Europe for warm-up matches against England in Austria on May 30 and Ivory Coast in Switzerland on June 4.
Local media reported that Okada, whose team play two of their Group E games at more than 1,000 metres above sea level in South Africa in June, would ask his players to use the apparatus daily.
"After the squad is named I will get the players to use oxygen masks in small doses for an hour a day," Okada told the Nikkan Sports. "They can use the tanks while watching TV."
Japan face World Cup-bound South Korea at home on May 24 before flying to Europe for warm-up matches against England in Austria on May 30 and Ivory Coast in Switzerland on June 4.