Friday May 12 2006 12:13
Japan have confirmed that Shinji Murai has been ruled out of this summer's World Cup Finals after suffering a knee injury.
The Jubilo Iwata midfielder is expected to be sidelined for six months after sustaining the problem in Wednesday's Kirin Cup defeat to Bulgaria.
Coach Zico will announce his 23-player squad on Monday as he continues his preparations for group games against Australia, Brazil and Croatia.
Japan play Scotland, who beat Bulgaria 5-1, in the Kirin Cup on Saturday.
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