The veteran defender Yuji Nakazawa of Japan is unlikely to play in next month's Asia Cup while recovering from left knee.
The 32-year Nakazawa Nikkansports Wednesday told the newspaper that "I do not make the national team all the problems so I think it is better not to participate.
" Japan will open their campaign in the Asia Cup, January 09 against Jordan, Qatar. Japan won the Asian Cup on three occasions.
Nakazawa has been a member of the Japan team that won in 2000 and 2004. "Nakazawa s absence would be a blow to the team of Alberto Zaccheroni defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka is also sidelined with a knee injury.
