Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tokyo: Star defender Atsuto Uchida has been ruled out of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup after succumbing to a long-standing knee injury.
Head coach Javier Aguirre announced that Uchida was to remain in Germany with his Bundesliga club Schalke in a bid to regain full fitness.
Uchida, who featured in all three of the Samurai Blue's matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, has played over 70 matches for his country including Japan’s 2011 AFC Asian Cup victory against Australia in Qatar.
Kashima Antlers defender Naomichi Ueda has been called up to replace Uchida and if given the chance by Aguirre will make his debut at Asia's premier competition.
Japan will arrive in Australia on January 3 and are set to open their title defence with a Group D fixture against Palestine in Newcastle on January 12
They will then face Iraq and Jordan as they attempt to reach the tournament’s knockout phase for the seventh consecutive time.
Photo: AFP