According to reports from Tagesspiegel, the 33-year-old midfielder Wataru Endo of Liverpool FC injured himself two weeks ago in a test match against Iceland. The injury is not healing in time for the tournament, which begins on Sunday. Endo, who has been captaining the Japanese national team, will therefore not be available.
As a replacement, Japan has nominated Shuto Machino from Borussia Mönchengladbach. Bundesliga attacker is expected to bolster the offense. The captain’s armband will be taken over by former Bundesliga professional Ko Itakura, who also played in Germany.
Japan starts the World Cup on Sunday in Dallas against the Netherlands. Other opponents in Group F are Sweden and Tunisia. Endo’s absence is a heavy blow for the team, which had relied on the experience of the Liverpool star.
Source: www.tagesspiegel.de
