Cologne centre-back Tomoaki Makino voiced his concerns at a lack of Bundesliga action to national manager, Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni.
Makino earned his first start under the Italian coach in Friday night s friendly against Vietnam, but was substituted in the 78th minute after suffering from cramp.
You know why your legs cramped? Because you haven t played for your club, Zaccheroni told Makino at the team s post-match dinner.
However, Makino did not take the comment light heartedly, putting the blame on club coach Stale Solbakken for his lack of game time in Germany.
Well if that s the case, why don t you ask (Solbakken) to play me? he replied.
After making five appearances during Frank Schaefer s reign last season, the 24-year-old has made the bench just three times so far this season for 12th-placed Cologne.
The idleness stands in stark contrast to Makino s recent time with Japanese club Sanfrecce Hiroshima, where he missed just two matches out of 113 between 2008 and 2010.
The Japan international also shared his frustration following their win against Hoffenheim late last month.
I ve been here for a year but I still don t get any chances, even though other centre-backs have been injured or suspended, he told Japanese reporters at the time.
Japan face Tajikistan on Tuesday in a World Cup qualifier for Brazil 2014.
