MONACO (AP) — Japan forward Takumi Minamino left the field on a stretcher after hurting his left knee playing for Monaco during a French Cup game at Auxerre on Sunday.
The 30-year-old Minamino was expected to be a leading player for Japan at the World Cup next year. It was not immediately known how serious the injury was.
Minamino tried to win the ball back following a Monaco attack and appeared to jar his left knee as he went into a tackle. He immediately clutched the back of his leg and was comforted by teammates. Minamino placed his hands over his face as he was taken off in the 35th minute.
The former Liverpool player has 23 goals in 119 games for Monaco and 26 in 73 for Japan, which has been drawn in Group F along with the Netherlands and Tunisia. ___
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