NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Injured star Takefusa Kubo will remain sidelined for Japan when they take on Sweden in their final Group F match at the World Cup on Thursday.
A Japan Football Association spokesperson said Tuesday that the 25-year-old is still nursing the left knee injury that ruled him out of Japan's 4-0 win over Tunisia in their second match on Saturday in Monterrey, Mexico.
The Real Sociedad attacker was forced off in the 75th minute of Japan's 2-2 opening draw with the Netherlands on June 14 following a heavy challenge by Denzel Dumfries, and left Dallas Stadium in a wheelchair.
The Samurai Blue, currently second in Group F behind the Netherlands on goals scored, return to the venue for their final group-stage match against Sweden.
While Hajime Moriyasu's men travel to Texas, Kubo will continue his recovery in Nashville, Tennessee, where Japan are based during the group stage, as he did when his team went to Mexico.
