Japan struggle with injuries ahead of 2002 dress rehearsal

Japan are struggling with injuries as they prepare to host the dress rehearsal for the 2002 World Cup finals.

The Confederations Cup starts tomorrow but the home country have seen Jubilo Iwata midfielder Daisuke Oku drop out of their squad with injury and now Jubilo Iwata striker Naohiro Takahara and Tokyo Verdy defender Yuji Nakazawa are also injured. Coach Philippe Troussier has added Hiroshima striker Tatsuhiko Kubo to his squad but may be formed to reinforce again if the health situation in his squad does not improve.

Midfielder Hiroshi Nanami was ruled out of the tournament last week with strained knee ligaments and Kashima Antlers striker Atsushi Yanagisawa dropped out shortly after with a hip injury.

Japan play CONCACAF Gold Cup champions Canada in their Group B opener at Niigata Big Swan Stadium on Thursday.

They then face Cameroon in Niigata on June 2nd and decamp to Kashima to face Copa America champions Brazil on June 4th.

Group A starts tomorrow with co-hosts South Korea hosting France in Daegu.