As is well known, Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma suffered a left hamstring injury during the match against Wolverhampton on May 9. The news sent shockwaves through Japanese football, with headlines like “Japanese football is completely in ruins” and “A major blow.” South Korean media also expressed alarm, calling it an “emergency situation” and noting the impact on Japan’s World Cup preparations. Japan national team manager Hajime Moriyasu addressed the situation, stating, “I haven’t received a precise report yet, but probably…” He reiterated his selection criteria, leaving the door open for Mitoma’s potential inclusion despite the injury. The injury has sparked widespread concern over the team’s readiness for the upcoming World Cup, with fans and analysts alike worried about the forward’s recovery timeline.
