Former Japan coach Osim discharged from hospital after stroke

TOKYO, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Bosnian Ivica Osim, who gave up the post as the coach of the Japanese national soccer team four months ago after a serious stroke, was discharged from hospital Monday, said the Japan Football Association.

The 66-year-old returned to his house in a Tokyo suburb and will visit hospital once or twice a week for rehabilitation, according to the association.

"I again thank everyone who offered support and cheers," Osim said in a statement. "I wish them (the Japanese team) good luck and good performances in the World Cup qualifiers and the Beijing Olympics."

Osim collapsed at his home on the early morning of November 16 and came out of a coma two weeks later and left intensive care on Christmas Eve, while Takeshi Okada took his post.

The famous coach took the former Yugoslavia to the 1990 World Cup quarterfinals and arrived in Japan in 2003 to steer strugglers JEF United into serious J-League contention.

Under his reign, Japan won 13 matches, lost five and drew two but failed to win a third straight Asian Cup in July.