Soccer-Japan's Maeda admits to "not trying" at Asian Cup camp

TOKYO, June 29 (Reuters) - Striker Ryoichi Maeda has jeopardised his place in Japan's Asian Cup squad by putting club before country at this week's training camp.

The Jubilo Iwata forward, who has recently recovered from knee surgery, admitted he did not train flat out because of this weekend's crunch J-League game with champions Urawa Reds.

"I didn't try very hard at Japan's training," Maeda was quoted in Friday's Nikkan Sports daily.

"There was my knee to think about too and the main thing was our game with Urawa."

Japan coach Ivica Osim's decision to start the training camp a day early upset several J-League clubs and only 10 players turned up for the first day at the weekend.

Osim's side will be bidding for a third successive Asian Cup crown after winning campaigns in 2000 and 2004.

This year's tournament takes place from July 7-29 and will be staged jointly by Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. Japan are in Group B with Vietnam, United Arab Emirates and Qatar.