Legal reasons prevent us from naming him here, but the J.League soccer star now accused of stealing a young woman's panties was named for the Japan national team last month, according to Shukan Asahi (5/9).

The 26-year-old midfielder from Kashiwa Reysol stunned Japanese soccer circles with his arrest for a theft that allegedly occurred in Kobe on, of all days, Sept. 11, 2001.

The player, who was 19 at the time and thus a minor under Japanese law, was arrested for breaking into a woman's apartment and stealing her mobile phone, as well as several pairs of her panties.

The midfielder denies the allegations, saying he was blind drunk at the time and can't remember a thing as it was too long ago.

The woman, whose apartment was purportedly robbed. was out at the time, but still managed to gather a reminder of the player's visit that ultimately led to his April 25 arrest, which came just five months before the statute of limitations on prosecuting the case came into effect.

"There were large amounts of bodily fluids left at the scene," a police investigation insider tells Shukan Asahi. "The woman wiped up these fluids with some tissues and handed them in to the police. DNA testing of the fluids revealed that they had been left by the same person involved in the 'Kawasaki Incident.'"

The "Kawasaki Incident" the cop refers to involves the same midfielder now on the fringe of being selected to represent his country. The midfielder was arrested in March 2006 after he broke into a 20-something woman's Kawasaki apartment.

"He was absolutely plastered at the time, so he got off without being charged because investigators believed he had no idea he'd stumbled inside the apartment," the insider says.

The midfielder has appeared in almost every game for Kashiwa this season. He is highly regarded for his abilities.

"He's quite inventive on the field, which is rare for a Japanese player. He's got a knack to come up with unexpected passes, attacks down the flanks and has the skill to be able to penetrate defenses under his own steam," a soccer writer tells Shukan Asahi.

But the soccer star known for his speedy attacks is just as well known for his quick temper, last season alone missing seven games through suspension.

"His penalty was increased because he openly spat in disgust when he was given a second yellow card," another soccer hack says. "His team is not too keen on him. At the time of his arrest in Kawasaki, he was on loan from Kashiwa (and playing for Kawasaki Frontale), but he never said a single word of apology to anyone at Kashiwa."

Nonetheless, there are promising signs for the soccer star.

Since returning to Kashiwa, he's studiously avoided boozing and has been actively involved in volunteer work within his local community. And on April 17, the player was selected as part of Japan's national squad to take part in a number of upcoming games. Some say it was a selection that was a long time coming.

"(Former Brazilian representative) Alberto was really keen on him," the soccer hack tells Shukan Asahi. "He reckons (the player) is already international class." (By Ryann Connell)