National team manager Takeshi Okada was hoping to use Japan's final two World Cup qualifiers to learn more about the fringe members of his squad. But the first of those games, last Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Qatar, will have told him more about a player who will not take part in either.
Yasuhito Endo has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, and if Japan's apparent strength in depth suggested the midfield could cope with his absence last week in Yokohama, the performance proved otherwise.
Hideo Hashimoto and Yuki Abe filled the gap left by Endo and the suspended Makoto Hasebe in central midfield, but their inability to start moves and spark the attack in motion only served to highlight how important Endo is to Okada's side.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.