Red alert: Fired-up veteran Nagatomo fuels his teammates

Morale booster: Japanese veteran Yuto Nagatomo (right) dyed his hair red for the tournament to fire up his teammates. — AFP

MELLOWING with age is not part of the plan for Japan veteran Yuto Nagatomo, whose flame-red hair and wild celebrations are helping to fuel the Samurai Blue’s fire.

The 36-year-old fullback has been in irrepressible mood at his fourth World Cup – a record for a Japanese outfield player – and is fully embracing his role as the team’s elder statesman.