Japan waits on star forward Mitoma's fitness for World Cup after injury in Brighton game

TL;DR

Japan's coach is concerned about star forward Kaoru Mitoma's hamstring injury sustained during a Brighton match, impacting his availability for the upcoming World Cup. Mitoma's fitness will be crucial as Japan prepares to face the Netherlands on June 14.

Key points

Kaoru Mitoma suffered a hamstring injury during a Premier League match.
Japan's World Cup squad announcement is set for Friday.
Mitoma's participation in the World Cup is in doubt.
Japan faces the Netherlands on June 14.
Takumi Minamino is already ruled out due to an ACL injury.

Mentioned in this story

Kaoru MitomaHajime MoriyasuBrightonMonaco

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BRIGHTON, England (AP) — Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu has an anxious wait on the fitness of star forward Kaoru Mitoma before naming a World Cup squad on Friday. Mitoma limped off with an apparent hamstring injury Saturday in the second half of Brighton’s 3-0 win over Wolverhampton in the Premier League. One of Japan’s standout players at the 2022 World Cup, Mitoma scored in a 1-0 win over England in March at Wembley Stadium. His World Cup tournament is in doubt five weeks before Japan faces the Netherlands on June 14 in Arlington, Texas. “I hope it’s a minor injury. I was told by staff, ‘It doesn’t seem minor,’” Moriyasu was reported telling Japanese media Sunday about Mitoma. Brighton coach Fabian Hurzeler said “it looked like a hamstring injury” but the club would await scan to clarify the severity. Seventh-place Brighton is still in contention to qualify for the Champions League with two rounds left in the Premier League. England could get a record-tying six entries. Japan’s World Cup plans are already missing another key forward Takumi Minamino, who tore an ACL playing for Monaco in December. Japan also plays on June 20 in Monterrey, Mexico then returns to Texas to play on June 25. The top two in Group F advance to the round of 32 and the third-place team also could join them. \\_ AP soccer: and World Cup:

Q&A

What is the status of Kaoru Mitoma's injury before the World Cup?

Kaoru Mitoma is dealing with a hamstring injury, and his fitness is uncertain ahead of Japan's World Cup squad announcement.

When does Japan play their first match in the World Cup?

Japan's first match in the World Cup is against the Netherlands on June 14 in Arlington, Texas.

Who else is missing from Japan's World Cup squad due to injury?

Takumi Minamino is also absent from Japan's World Cup squad due to an ACL tear sustained while playing for Monaco.

Japan waits on star forward Mitoma's fitness for World Cup after injury in Brighton game

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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