Nadeshiko Japan's Kozue Ando has suffered an ankle fracture and is returning to Japan, the Japan Football Association announced on Wednesday.
Ando injured her left ankle in Monday's 1-0 victory over Switzerland in the two teams' Women's World Cup Group C opener when she became entangled with Switzerland's goalkeeper. Japan scored from the resulting penalty kick. Her club team, Frankfurt, is said to believe that surgery will be necessary.
"Her characteristic aggressive play was the driving force behind our victory," Nadeshiko Japan coach Norio Sasaki told reporters Tuesday.