Japan defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka's participation in next month's Asian Cup is in doubt after the Urawa Reds player was forced to pull out of a training camp with a knee injury.
Tulio damaged his knee during the Reds' J. League clash at Shimizu S-Pulse on Saturday and limped out of the contest just before half-time.
A subsequent exam revealed the Brazil-born defender has torn a ligament and could be out of action for three to four weeks.
Ivica Osim's side playing their opening Group B game against Qatar on July 9.
JEF United Chiba defender Hiroki Mizumoto also left the four-day camp on Monday with a leg problem picked up against Albirex Niigata over the weekend. Replacements for the duo are yet to be called up.
Osim had previously voiced concerns about the prospect of playing J. League games so close to the start of the Asian Cup citing the potential for injuries.
He will announce his final 23-man squad on June 30 following the day's J. League programme.
Japan will then undergo a three-day training camp in Chiba on July 1 before leaving for Hanoi on July 4.
A subsequent exam revealed the Brazil-born defender has torn a ligament and could be out of action for three to four weeks.
Ivica Osim's side playing their opening Group B game against Qatar on July 9.
JEF United Chiba defender Hiroki Mizumoto also left the four-day camp on Monday with a leg problem picked up against Albirex Niigata over the weekend. Replacements for the duo are yet to be called up.
Osim had previously voiced concerns about the prospect of playing J. League games so close to the start of the Asian Cup citing the potential for injuries.
He will announce his final 23-man squad on June 30 following the day's J. League programme.
Japan will then undergo a three-day training camp in Chiba on July 1 before leaving for Hanoi on July 4.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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