Prøve GULL - Gratis
WORLD CUP SHOCK FOR JAPAN
The Straits Times
|December 24, 2025
Hopes hit by Minamino's serious knee injury; Neymar undergoes op in bid to play
-
Japan international Takumi Minamino's participation at the 2026 World Cup is in doubt after the midfielder's club, AS Monaco, confirmed on Dec 22 that he had ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee.
The 30-year-old midfielder was injured during Monaco's French Cup clash against Auxerre on Dec 21 and was substituted midway through the game.
The club did not mention when Minamino was expected to return, but the typical recovery timeline of six to nine months for an ACL injury would see the former Liverpool player miss the World Cup.
Minamino has made 73 appearances for the Samurai Blue and scored 26 international goals.
He played at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and has been an integral member of Hajime Moriyasu's squad leading up to the next edition of the tournament.
Japan have been drawn to face the Netherlands, Tunisia and the winner of a European playoff in Group F.
Denne historien er fra December 24, 2025-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Abonner på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av kuraterte premiumhistorier og over 9000 magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
FLERE HISTORIER FRA The Straits Times
The Straits Times
In-form Medvedev likes Melbourne prospects
Three-time Australian Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev will be an underdog at the opening Grand Slam of the year, but the Russian warned he will be hard to beat in his current form.
2 mins
January 13, 2026
The Straits Times
SBF, PwC list 18 recommendations to strengthen S'pore economy
They outline 5 priorities to consider for 2026 Budget
3 mins
January 13, 2026
The Straits Times
Promising three-year-old Kanaal Skater on the rise
(3) KANAAL SKATER is a progressive 3YO who won his last two narrowly when stepped up in trip.
1 min
January 13, 2026
The Straits Times
Comic introducing Superman sells privately for $19.3m
A copy of the comic book that introduced the world to Superman in 1938 has been sold to a collector for US$15 million (S$19.3 million).
1 mins
January 13, 2026
The Straits Times
Great variety, but differentiation is key
Tomorrowland’s arrival in Thailand is part of the country’s strategy in courting large-scale international events to boost its tourism sector, but more does not mean better
5 mins
January 13, 2026
The Straits Times
S. Korea's Lee to visit Japan a week after meeting China's Xi
Summit comes amid diplomatic dispute between Beijing and Tokyo
2 mins
January 13, 2026
The Straits Times
Tokyo doubles down on Asia's defence with expanded security aid
Bigger budget, more ASEAN countries identified to receive Japan's military support
4 mins
January 13, 2026
The Straits Times
Bill on sharing of citizen data passed in Parliament amid calls for safeguards, transparency
A Bill that allows government agencies to share citizens' data with partners outside the public sector was passed in Parliament on Jan 12, paving the way for more effective delivery of community services.
4 mins
January 13, 2026
The Straits Times
Residents, advocates call for study amid bus depot works in Serangoon River forest
They want works to pause until detailed study of site’s ecological value
4 mins
January 13, 2026
The Straits Times
Malinin 'so excited' for debut at Olympics
Ilia Malinin unsurprisingly headlined the US Olympic figure skating team who were announced on Jan 11 and included Maxim Naumov, whose parents died in January 2025 in a midair plane crash that devastated the figure skating community.
2 mins
January 13, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size