Japan national team coach Takeshi Okada has backed defender Yasuyuki Konno to be fit and available for Monday’s World Cup opener against Cameroon in Bloemfontein.
The FC Tokyo star injured his knee in the 2-0 loss to the Ivory Coast last week but Okada says he has made plenty of improvement in the lead-up to the Blue Samurai’s first match and although he will not play in Thursday’s tune-up match against Mozambique
“He’s doing ever so well and we figured he could take part with a painkilling injection. He has not been kicking with his right foot today and I’m not sure if he can play in a game or not, but if he can I plan to give him 30 minutes (against Mozambique),” said Okada.
“There is a possibility he could play (against Cameroon).”