Kubo aiming to lead Japan to World Cup glory with Mitoma out of tournament

[p]Winger [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kaoru-mitoma/faIBBRXl/"]Mitoma[/a] was left out of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/japan/ULXPdOUj/"]Japan[/a]'s squad on Friday after their medical staff decided he did not have enough time to recover after limping out of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brighton/2XrRecc3/"]Brighton[/a]'s 3-0 win over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/wolves/j3Azpf5d/"]Wolves[/a] in the Premier League last weekend.[/p][p]The 28-year-old is one of Japan's best players and scored the winner in their 1-0 friendly victory over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/england/j9N9ZNFA/"]England[/a] at Wembley in March.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/real-sociedad/jNvak2f3/"]Real Sociedad[/a] attacker [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kubo-takefusa/fqdLdpc3/"]Kubo[/a] is also a key man for Japan, and he pledged to step up after hearing that Mitoma would not be with them in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.[/p][p][b]"His injury is so disappointing. I got in touch with him directly but naturally, it's a tough time for him, he's such an important player,"[/b] the 24-year-old Kubo was quoted as saying by Japanese media on Friday.[/p][p][b]"I want to carry Mitoma's feelings with me and give my all with an even greater sense of responsibility."[/b][/p][embed guid="1bb405ea-2b3c-4cae-9def-6753f2409188" url="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2055238960914341917" social-type="twitter" /][p]Japan have been drawn with the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/netherlands/WYintcWb/"]Netherlands[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sweden/OQyqbHWB/"]Sweden[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tunisia/QqZVYk95/"]Tunisia[/a] in Group F and they start their campaign [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/japan-ULXPdOUj/netherlands-WYintcWb/?mid=4SV9xFBO"]against the Dutch in Arlington, Texas on June 14th.[/a][/p][p]Kubo was named in coach Hajime Moriyasu's 26-man squad after recovering from a hamstring injury of his own.[/p][p]Kubo was hurt in a game against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barcelona[/a] in January and returned for Sociedad in April.[/p][p]He said Mitoma had been in touch to support him during that time.[/p][p]Kubo also said Japan cannot afford to dwell on the winger's injury, and backed others in the squad to make an impact.[/p][p][b]"The replacement players will get their chance,"[/b] he said.[/p][p][b]"We have to come together as one, and for Mitoma's sake I hope we can pull together and make this a successful tournament."[/b][/p]