Former Japan soccer defender Naoki Matsuda dies
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Former Japan national defender Naoki Matsuda has died two days after suffering a cardiac arrest during training, his club said.
The 34-year-old Matsuda had been in critical condition after collapsing Tuesday during practice with his club Matsumoto Yamaga.
"He passed away today at 1:06 p.m.," Yamaga president Hiroshi Otsuki said Thursday. "Since Tuesday there has been an outpouring of support from Matsuda fans all over Japan."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Matsuda played 40 times for Japan, including the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea. He also played 385 J-League games for the Yokohama F Marinos from 1995-2010, helping the team to three J-League titles.
Matsuda collapsed after a 15-minute run. After an initial diagnosis of heat stroke, it was determined he suffered a cardiac arrest. He was unconscious on his arrival at a hospital and showed no response to heart massage.