Coach Alberto Zaccheroni on Thursday attempted to play down a number of fitness worries ahead of Japan's final tune-up for the World Cup against Zambia, even though captain Makoto Hasebe appears to be a concern less than 10 days before the Asian champion kicks off its Group C campaign against Cote d'Ivoire.
Hasebe, who has been trying to regain full fitness after undergoing knee surgery, played 45 minutes of a 1-0 win over Cyprus in Saitama on May 27 but was rested for Monday's 3-1 win over Costa Rica in Tampa, Florida.
The Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder returned to full training Thursday after working out separately from the team in the previous two sessions but will miss the Zambia match, casting doubts over whether he will be ready for Japan's opener against the Ivorians in Recife on June 14.