Japan is sweating on the fitness of Yuichi Komano ahead of its World Cup qualifier away to Oman, after the versatile Jubilo Iwata defender skipped the Asian champions' final training session in Doha on Monday with a sore back.
Komano hurt his lower back during training on Sunday, causing another potential headache for coach Alberto Zaccheroni, who is already missing Schalke defender Atsuto Uchida (thigh) and Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa (knee) through injury.
"The pain has subsided but Komano is resting at the hotel as a precaution," Japan team media officer Hideki Kato told reporters.