Elsamni, a forward of mixed Egyptian and Japanese parentage, was preparing along with his teammates for a league match against Albirex Niigata when the offshore quake struck.

With the cellular networks in japan out of service FilGoal.com failed to phone up Elsamni, but managed to contact his father, Ibrahim, via an internet chat.

According to the father, the 22-year-old slept in his car after being frightened by the earth-shattering calamity that resulted in thousands of deaths and unimaginable devastation.

"Osama called me (from a landline) yesterday to reassure me but he had a horrendous day and is still afraid of the aftershocks," said Ibrahim, who lives in Okinawa.

"He was taking part in a training camp ahead of a trip to Niigata to face Albirex on Saturday but the earthquake forced all players to stay at the club (Montedio).

"Osama spent the night in the car amid the horror everyone suffered from … the authorities eventually allowed them to go home."

Aftershocks are forecast for a number of Japanese cities, including Yamagata where Elsamni lives.

"My son is worried sick but he will not leave his city because he's a professional player who respects his contract," Ibrahim concluded.

The Japanese league was indefinitely halted. Several media reports conjectured it might be resumed in a week.