Nakamura ends international career

Shunsuke Nakamura has announced his retirement from international football following Japan’s exit from the World Cup.

The Blue Samurai reached the last 16 for the first time outside their own country but were denied a place in the quarter-finals as they lost 5-3 on penalties to Paraguay following a goalless draw after 120 minutes.

Nakamura, 32, had to be content with a place on the bench in South Africa and the former Celtic midfielder has decided to call time on a Japan career that has spanned a decade.

”Yes, that’s right,” he said on Kyodo News when asked to confirm media reports that his international career was over.

Nakamura, who plays for Yokohama F Marinos, made his Japan debut in an Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore in February 2000 and went on to earn 98 caps, scoring 24 goals.