Against a backdrop of uncertainty following allegations of his involvement in a match-fixing scandal in Spain, Japan coach Javier Aguirre on Monday named his 23-man squad for the upcoming Asian Cup.
Spanish prosecutors are reportedly investigating Aguirre for possibly being involved in match-fixing three years ago when he was manager of Zaragoza, but the Mexican insisted his focus is on preparing Japan for its title defense at the Jan. 9-31 tournament in Australia.
"At the Asian Cup I will just be concentrating on the sports and competition side of things," said Aguirre, who last week denied any wrongdoing in an emergency meeting with the Japan Football Association.