YOKOHAMA (Kyodo) Japan defender Yuzo Kurihara is expected to miss the remainder of the J. League season with a torn left hamstring, Yokohama F. Marinos announced Monday.
The 27-year-old Kurihara, who suffered the injury in Marinos' 4-1 away win over Shonan Bellmare on Saturday, has been ruled out for four to six weeks. The season ends Dec. 4, making it highly unlikely that he will suit up for Yokohama again this season.
National coach Alberto Zaccheroni played Kurihara in his first two games in charge against Argentina and South Korea last month. The center half was expected to be a part of the Italian manager's plans for the Asian Cup in Qatar, which kicks off Jan. 7.