Japan defender Ryuzo Morioka is to undergo an operation on his injured left ankle and is expected to be sidelined for eight weeks, officials of his club Shimizu S-Pulse said Monday.
Morioka made a brief comeback after sustaining the injury in Japan's 2-2 draw against Belgium in its World Cup opener June 4 but the ankle flared up again and he has not played for Shimizu since its 3-1 defeat away to Jubilo Iwata in the J. League on July 24.
In other J. League news, Sanfrecce Hiroshima has signed former Croatia international striker Tomislav Erceg from Hajduk Split on a short-term loan deal running through New Year's Day 2003.
Hiroshima also announced that striker Susumu Oki will be out for six to eight weeks after he injured his left knee in the 2-1 defeat at home to Urawa Reds on Saturday.
Vissel lands Harison
KOBE (Kyodo) Vissel Kobe has signed former Urawa Reds midfielder Harison on loan, the J. League first division club said Monday.
The 22-year-old Brazilian, who scored three goals in 19 league appearances for Urawa before being let go last month, signed a five-month contract through January 2003.