Japan coach Zico has decided not to risk playing Shinji Ono in Wednesday's friendly away to Ukraine and the injury-weary midfielder will return to the Netherlands, the Japan Football Association said Monday.
Ono had hoped to return to action after missing out in the 2-2 draw with Latvia on Saturday, but Zico decided it was in the Feyenoord star's best interests not to take part.
The Feyenoord star was set to make his comeback in Riga but was sidelined after the little toe on his right foot flared up on the eve of the match.
However, Ono, who has only recently recovered full fitness after breaking a bone in his right foot 48 hours before Japan's World Cup qualifier away to Bahrain in June, was eager to play and had earlier declared himself fit.