Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic admitted Saturday that injuries to striker Yuya Osako and midfielder Keisuke Honda are causing him concern ahead of the team's upcoming World Cup qualifier at home against Australia.
The status of Cologne forward Osako appears to be in major doubt for the Aug. 31 qualifier against the Socceroos at Saitama Stadium with an ankle problem, while Honda is carrying an unspecified injury that has delayed his Mexican Liga MX debut with new club Pachuca.
Speaking after returning to Japan from a vacation, Halilhodzic said, "We are in a difficult situation. We have a lot of injured players and it is worrying me."