Japan and Cerezo Osaka midfielder Hiroshi Kiyotake, who has injured his right leg, will be replaced by Kashiwa Reysol's Hiroki Sakai ahead of the national team's World Cup qualifier against Tajikistan next week, the Japan Football Association said Monday.
Sakai, who plays for Japan's Under-22 side, will make his first full appearance with the national squad after joining for training on Tuesday. Japan plays Tajikistan at Nagai Stadium in Osaka the following Tuesday.
Kiyotake sustained the injury to his abductor muscle on Sept. 21 during the Japan U-22's 2-0 win over Malaysia in the final round of the Asian qualifiers for next year's London Olympics. Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni apparently told Kiyotake to take time off to heal.
"Coach Zaccheroni told me, 'It's necessary to have the courage to rest. You should focus now on treatment.' Once it's completely healed I hope to get another chance," Kiyotake said in a statement.