Keisuke Honda became the nation's hero last week after sending Japan through to next year's World Cup with an injury-time penalty against Australia.
But the CSKA Moscow man may have paid a price as he has been unable to train with the team since the 1-1 draw to Australia at Saitama because of an aggravated right-thigh injury, and whether he plays Tuesday against Iraq in Japan's last World Cup qualifier appears to be up in the air.
After practice on Sunday evening, Honda had the thigh covered with a huge bag of ice as he gingerly walked off the pitch. The midfielder also continued to give the media the silent treatment, which he has done more often as of late.