Japan requests Kazu to keep playing for record

Japan's football authorities are pressuring ex-international Kazuyoshi Miura to keep playing to challenge a global record. Miura turns 40 later this month and the striker who scored 56 goals for his country is currently turning out for Yokohama FC in the Japanese second division. Japan Football Association president Saburo Kawabuchi has called on the ex-Genoa 1893 and NK Dinamo Zagreb player to pass the mark set by England legend Sir Stanley Matthews and play beyond the age of 50. "I'd really like Kazu to pass Matthews," Kawabuchi said, as reported by Paul Saffer for UEFA, adding that he wants to see him back in the Japan team. "I'd like him to aim for that."