Japan’s Ex International Kudo dies

Japan’s ex-international forward, Masato Kudo has died at 32.

His club Tegevajaro Miyazaki stated that Kudo died on Friday after brain surgery.

He played for Kashiwa Reysol, Vancouver Whitecaps.

Kudo was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid in the ventricles in the brain and was hospitalised on October 3 after falling ill a day earlier.

Kudo was an important player during Kashiwa Reysol’s run to the semifinals of the Asian Champions League in 2013, scoring six times in 12 games in that campaign.

Kudo played for the national team in four matches in 2013 and scored two goals.

“He made a significant impact in the first division,” third division side Tegevajaro Miyazaki, who Kudo had joined from Roar this year, said in a statement.

“He played for Japan and had a great track record but he stayed humble.

“He had a great attitude, caring about teammates, the club and supporters. We are devastated that such a great player has passed away so early,” Miyazaki stated.

Kudo, who also represented Sanfrecce Hiroshima, scored 60 goals in Japan’s first division during his career.

Supersport/ Mercy Chukwudiebere