NASHVILLE, Tennessee - After scoring on his World Cup debut, Keito Nakamura is ready to carry Japan's attack again with his fellow attacker Takefusa Kubo ruled out Thursday of their second Group F game against Tunisia with an injury.
Nakamura, who spent this past season in the French second tier at Reims, announced himself to the world against the Netherlands on Sunday by emphatically burying Japan's leveler through the legs of Denzel Dumfries from the edge of the box.
"Whether it's a goal, assist, or something before that, I want to come up with a piece of play that directly leads to us scoring," Nakamura, 25, said of their Saturday encounter with Tunisia following team training near Nashville, Tennessee.
Kubo was replaced in the 75th minute of their opener after he went down following a heavy challenge from Dumfries, leaving Dallas Stadium on a wheelchair.
A left knee injury was confirmed after a checkup on Monday and following a day off for the entire team, Kubo missed team training on Wednesday. The Japan Football Association said he will stay with the squad as he continues his recovery and rehabilitation, but no timeframe for his return or other injury details have been provided.
On Thursday, a JFA spokesperson said Kubo will remain at the team's hotel and not travel to Monterrey, Mexico, where Japan face Tunisia.
"I wonder what will happen to our chances in two days' time without his ideas, his creativity, that special something from him," Nakamura said of Kubo.
"We'll all be carrying his thoughts during the match, he's not leaving the squad or anything and just missing the match in two days' time. I'm sure he'd be back again and I'm not worried at all."
Tunisia began their tournament with a 5-1 defeat to Sweden and replaced manager Sabri Lamouchi with his fellow Frenchman Herve Renard.
"As they face the Netherlands last, I guess they won't come into our match thinking a draw is enough," Nakamura said.
"Whether it's dribbles, link-up plays or shots from distance, we'll need variation to our attacks. Hopefully we won't stay at a flat tempo and instead show many patterns," he said.
