Nakata boots raise $1.5 million for Haiti relief

Hidetoshi Nakata of FIFA World Stars kicks the ball against China during their soccer match at the 10th Anniversary Reunification Cup in Hong Kong July 1, 2007.

TOKYO (Reuters) - A pair soccer boots belonging to former Japan captain Hidetoshi Nakata have raised almost $1.5 million for Haiti's earthquake disaster relief.

The boots Nakata wore against Croatia at the 2006 World Cup in Germany were auctioned off online to help relief efforts after the devastating January 12 quake that according to the local government may have claimed as many as 300,000 lives.

Japan drew that match 0-0 before a tearful Nakata announced his shock retirement when Japan were thrashed 4-1 by Brazil in their next fixture to exit the finals.

(Reporting by Alastair Himmer; Editing by John O'Brien)