Setback for Japan as Ayase Ueda ruled out for rest of 2024

Japan's hopes of securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup Finals took a hit as striker Ayase Ueda was sidelined for the remainder of the year due to a hamstring injury sustained while playing for his club Feyenoord in the Netherlands.

The 26-year-old was forced to leave the pitch before half-time after picking up the injury in a 2-0 loss to Ajax Amsterdam in a Eredivisie clash on Oct 30, Feyenoord said in a statement.

“Ayase Ueda will no longer play this calendar year,” the club said. “The attacker is struggling with a thigh injury that will keep him out until at least the winter break.”

Such news would not be well received in his native Japan.

Ueda has scored 14 goals in 18 matches for his country over the last two years but will now miss World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia on Nov 15 and China four days later.

The Samurai Blue, looking to qualify for an eighth straight edition of the World Cup Finals, lead Group C of the third round of Asian qualifying by five points over Australia after four of the 10 rounds.

The top two from each group will punch their tickets to the 2026 Finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Japan are still favourites to make it through despite this latest setback, but would have to find solutions to the absence of their star striker.

Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi could be set for his first international call-up in a year for the matches against Indonesia and China. The 29-year-old last played for Japan – his 21st appearance – a year ago against Myanmar, and has been overlooked by Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu since then.

Blackburn Rovers’ Yuki Ohashi, who was not selected for Japan’s last match, a 1-1 draw with Australia, has not scored in seven games so it is unlikely that he would be trusted to lead the attack.

According to reports in Japan, Moriyasu could turn to Furuhashi.

“From what I gather, Ayase Ueda has a hamstring injury and won’t make the matches,” the coach said.

“But I see it as an opportunity for new talent in the squad. There are players I have been watching who can make an impact in these games instead.”