Former Japan defender Matsuda`s condition `critica

Tokyo: Former Japan defender Naoki Matsuda remained in a "critical condition" after collapsing on the pitch during practice with his club on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old, who played for Japan at the 2002 World Cup, went into cardio-respiratory arrest, according to his JFL team Matsumoto Yamaga. Medics rushed to Matsuda`s aid after he collapsed some 35 minutes after training began at 0930 local time.Yamaga president Hiroshi Otsuki told a news conference Matsuda had been put on an artificial respirator to keep his blood circulating, adding that the player`s condition remained "very bad." Doctors suspect the player may have suffered a heart attack after he arrived at hospital unconscious and not having responded to heart massage, his club said.Matsuda has played 40 times for Japan and made 385 appearances for Yokohama F-Marinos, helping them win three J-League titles before moving down to the JFL this year. Bureau Report