Shimizu S-Pulse midfielder Daisuke Ichikawa will miss his side's opening match of the J. League season after sustaining an injury in a friendly over the weekend, officials of the first division side said Monday.
The 23-year-old former Japan international dislocated his right elbow in a preseason match against Nagoya Grampus Eight on Sunday and was told by doctors he will need around four weeks to recover.
Shimizu travels to newly promoted Sanfrecce Hiroshima on March 13, the opening day of the 2004 season.