Yokohama F. Marinos striker Tatsuhiko Kubo has become the latest player to pull out of the Japan squad for Wednesday's friendly against South Korea, soccer sources said Monday.
Kubo celebrated his return to the national squad for the first time in 11 months by scoring his first goal for new club Yokohama against Tokyo Verdy in the J. League on Saturday but came off in the second half with a leg injury and withdrew from the squad.
With Kyoto Purple Sanga forward Teruaki Kurobe also forced out with a knee injury, Japan manager Zico called up Urawa Reds striker Yuichi Nagai as well as Kashiwa Reysol's Tomokazu Myojin and Yokohama's Daisuke Oku as cover in midfield.