The injury to Takefusa Kubo is a big blow for Japan as they face Brazil in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32.Head coach Hajime Moriyasu confirmed that the winger would not be fit for their World Cup round of 32 clash with Brazil. With no Japan attacking player available, the team has a new offensive configuration at the big match.
The 25-year-old Takefusa Kubo suffered a meniscus injury to his left knee in Japan’s first Group F game against the Netherlands on June 14. The damage ended his involvement in the tournament and prevented him from playing in the group stage games against Tunisia and Sweden.
Japan, whose second-place finish in Group F led them to the knockout stage, now have no one among the squad to spearhead their impressive technical approach. The ability to operate between the lines, create opportunities and carry the ball under pressure has been integral to the attacking model of Japan and has been a vital skill for Kubo.
Kubo was still involved in individual rehabilitation training in the recent session, outside of team training. Moriyasu had no doubt about the player’s readiness to play, saying the player is still not at a physical level for competing at match intensity. The move is considered by the coaching staff to be a decision of managing risk and not deploying the team in a high intensity match at this stage to ensure they are fitter for the future.
Tactically, it is believed that Japan will continue to tighten their defensive shape and play in more controlled attacks than continuous attacking attacks from a tactics perspective. If Kubo is not there, there is not as much creative variation, more on collective movement, and disciplined execution.
