Dortmund coach angry at Kagawa call-up

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Dortmund coach angry at Kagawa call-up

BERLIN- Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has questioned the decision of Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni to call-up Shinji Kagawa for his country’s friendly against Korea on Wednesday.

The winger missed the first half of the year after breaking a bone in his foot during January’s Asian Cup and has worked his way back to full fitness for the German champions.

Dortmund began the defense of their Bundesliga crown with a 3-1 win over Hamburg on Friday as Kagawa caused the defense constant problems and hit the post in the first half.

But the 22-year-old now faces return flights to Japan for the Korea game in Sapporo, something Klopp would have preferred him to avoid so early in the season.

“This is bitter, but we can’t change anything,” said Klopp. “I just hope he comes back from the most meaningful international match in the history of the game healthy and free from injury,” he added in a comment ladled with sarcasm.

“He must fly halfway around the world to play in it and that doesn’t do the sport any good.”

After playing in Japan, Kagawa will jet back to face TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Saturday. AFP

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