Injured Tanaka out of Asian Cup

Japan’s Asian Cup hopes have been hit with central defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka ruled out because of injury.

Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni left out the Brazilian-born 29-year-old from his 50-man preliminary squad, which will be reduced to 23 by December 28.

The list features 11 Europe-based players including CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa, Wolfsburg midfielder Makoto Hasebe and Cesena defender Yuto Nagatomo.

Tanaka, who helped Nagoya Grampus win their first J-League title last month, is scheduled to go home to Brazil on Wednesday for further treatment on his injured right knee.

“I’ve taken into account harmony between the players’ talent and the team, their physical condition and aspiration,” Zaccheroni said.

Japan, three-time Asian Cup champions, are aiming to regain the title they lost in 2007.

“There are so many good players that it was not easy to narrow the list to 50,” he said. “It naturally includes many young players as we have set our sights on the 2014 World Cup.”

But Zaccheroni did not include 21-year-old university student Kensuke Nagai, who scored five goals to power Japan to the Asian Games title in Guangzhou, China, last month.

“The university league is a lot easier than the J-League,” he said.