Urawa Reds midfielder Yuki Abe has pulled out of the Japan squad for the upcoming friendlies away to Euro 2008 co-hosts Austria and Switzerland because of injury, the Japan Football Association said Monday. Abe has pulled out because of a lower back problem but the JFA said it would not be drafting anyone into the squad as cover for the 25-year-old. Japan plays host Austria in Klagenfurt on Friday before taking on the Swiss at the same venue four days later.
