Asian Cup 2015: Japan hit with defensive blow as Atsuto Uchida withdraws with injury

DEFENDING champions Japan have suffered an Asian Cup blow with star defender Atsuto Uchida ruled out of the tournament because of a knee injury.

Schalke's Atsuto Uchida goes for the ball during the Champions League group G soccer match between Maribor and Schalke 04, at Ljudski Vrt stadium, in Maribor, Slovenia, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014.(AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

DEFENDING champions Japan have suffered an Asian Cup blow with star defender Atsuto Uchida ruled out of the tournament because of a knee injury.

Uchida will remain with his German Bundesliga club Schalke 04 for treatment on a long-term knee ailment, according to coach Javier Aguirre.

Uchida, a 26-year-old with 71 caps for his country, was a member of the Japanese team which downed Australia in the 2011 Asian Cup final.

Aguirre summoned Kashima Antlers defender Naomichi Ueda as a replacement, a report on the Asian Cup’s website said.

Japan are due to arrive in Australia on Saturday to prepare for their title defence which starts with a fixture against Palestine in Newcastle on January 12, three days after the tournament opener between Australia and Kuwait.

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Japan hit with defensive blow as Atsuto Uchida withdraws with injury