foxsports
Veteran Japan defender Yuji Nakazawa is unlikely to play in next month's Asian Cup as he recovers from an injured left knee.
The 32-year-old Nakazawa told Wednesday's Nikkansports newspaper that: ''I don't want to cause the national team any problems so I'm thinking it's best not to take part.''
Japan will open its Asian Cup campaign on Jan. 9 against Jordan in Qatar.
Japan has won the Asian Cup three times. Nakazawa was a member of Japan's team that won in 2000 and 2004.
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Nakazawa's absence would be a significant blow to Alberto Zaccheroni's squad as defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka is also sidelined with a knee injury.
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