Yuichi Komano's participation in Japan's opening game of the Asian Cup 2007 against Qatar on Monday is in doubt due to an ankle injury.
The Sanfrecce Hiroshima full-back twisted his ankle during training on Saturday and then practised separately from the rest of Ivica Osim's squad as they prepared for the game against the Asian Games gold medalists.
FC Tokyo midfielder Yasuyuki Konno took Komano's place in training on Sunday and coach Osim left the session without commenting on the possibility of losing Komano for the first game of Japan's Asian Cup defence.
The Japanese have been hit with several withdrawals from their squad, with Urawa Reds defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka and Hiroki Mizumoto from JEF United Chiba not making the trip to Vietnam due to injury, while Ryuji Bando returned home before the naming of the final squad at the end of last week.
FC Tokyo midfielder Yasuyuki Konno took Komano's place in training on Sunday and coach Osim left the session without commenting on the possibility of losing Komano for the first game of Japan's Asian Cup defence.
The Japanese have been hit with several withdrawals from their squad, with Urawa Reds defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka and Hiroki Mizumoto from JEF United Chiba not making the trip to Vietnam due to injury, while Ryuji Bando returned home before the naming of the final squad at the end of last week.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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