Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni is hoping next week's charity match between the national side and a J-League select team in Osaka will raise morale in the country that is still reeling from this month's devastating earthquake.
Zaccheroni was in Japan when an earthquake triggered a tsunami that ravaged the eastern part of the country on March 11.
"When I think of the victims of this catastrophe, my heart breaks," Zaccheroni said. "Japan is a country that never stops, a country that progresses and that has a spirit of solidarity.
"I think it will recover quickly.
"I hope that Tuesday's game will bring a little bit of happiness, even if it is small, to the entire country, especially in the area that was hit badly."
The Italian says there a people in his homeland that want to help.
"(Inter coach) Leonardo has told me he wants to come to Japan and do what he can to help," Zaccheroni said. "The Italian Football Federation has also told me that they want to do something to help."
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