Mixed news from the Japan camp

There was mixed news today from the Japan camp ahead of the World Cup. First the good news. Defender Akira Kaji has been given a clean bill of health after an injury scare in a warm up game against Germany yesterday.

The defender was stretched off in yesterday’s 2-2 draw against the World Cup hosts following a heavy challenge from Bastian Schweinsteiger. He suffered a bruised right foot but should be fit to play in their Group F opener against Australia on June 12.

Not so good news for defender Makoto Tanaka who has failed to recover from a hamstring injury he picked up before the team left Japan.

He will be replaced with Teruyuki Moniwa who got the call whilst on vacation in Hawaii.