Kagawa breaks foot, out for season

When the news first broke the day after the Japan vs. South Korea semifinal on Wednesday that Japan's rising star Shinji Kagawa could be out for the final, it was the info that he is out against Australia.

As the day went on the information got more and more concrete that he most likely has broken his right foot and that as soon as possible he would be on his way back to Borussia Dortmund to get checked by the club doctors to assess the extent of the injury.

"I'm really worried that I'm facing the worst case. but I'm convinced that the team will win (against Australia)," Kagawa said at Doha International airport on his departure on Wednesday night. He flew back to Germany via Switzerland and was greeted by the German media at Dusseldorf International airport. German colleagues said that Kagawa was in a wheelchair and looked really upset.

Thereafter it was off to the medical check-up and there the scans confirmed that he had broken a metatarsal bone in his right foot, which means at least three months of being out of the game, which also means Kagawa is unlikely to return for his club in the Bundesliga this season.

Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said at today's pre-match press conference, "It's very disappointing for the team and him (Kagawa) as well, then he contributed a lot to the team on the way to the final and he was getting better and better so it's very disappointing."

One can of wish Kagawa the best!!!