Reds rocked by injuries

AFCCL – Urawa Reds will go into the first leg of the AFC Champions League final against Sepahan in Isfahan next week without captain Nobuhisa Yamada and defensive lynch-pin Marcus Tulio Tanaka.

Yamada suffered a torn muscle in his right calf during Reds’ semi-final second leg win over Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma last week and further aggravated the injury during his side’s J.League clash with Nagoya Grampus Eight on Sunday. As a result, Yamada will be out of action for up to four weeks.

Tulio, meanwhile, has returned to light training after suffering a thigh strain against Seongnam, an injury which saw him substituted during extra-time in the victory over the Koreans.

The Brazil-born Japan international is unlikely to travel to Iran for the first leg but may be available for the second leg at Saitama Stadium on November 14.