Hasebe worry for Japan

Japan’s preparations for their World Cup opener against Cameroon next Monday have been dealt a fresh blow after Wolfsburg midfielder Makoto Hasebe was taken to hospital after picking up an injury during training.

The 26-year-old took a knock to his lower back in last week’s 2-0 defeat to the Ivory Coast in Switzerland and aggravated the injury during training in George.

“He hit his back against the Ivory Coast and he has gone to hospital as the pain is bothering him,” a Japan national team spokesman said.

Yasuyuki Konno also suffered a knee injury against the Ivorians, although the defender is recovering well and could be fit for Japan’s first game in Group E against Cameroon.

Meanwhile, Takeshi Okada’s side are looking to arrange a last-minute warm-up match with Zimbabwe on Thursday.

The Blue Samurai have endured troubled preparations for the World Cup having lost their last four successive matches.