Japanese Mainstay Player, Ayase Ueda, Injured And Endangered By Absen Against The Indonesian National Team

Ayase Ueda is in danger of being absent against the Indonesian national team (Instagram/@bee18_official).

JAKARTA - The mainstay player of the Japanese national team, Ayase Ueda, is in danger of being absent from defending the team against the Indonesian national team in the 2026 World Cup Qualification Third Round match.

Ayase Ueda suffered an injury while defending Feyennoord. Quoted from De Telegraaf on Thursday, October 31, 2024, the 26-year-old striker suffered a hamstring injury at the end of the first half when Feyennoord lost to Ajax 0-2 at the Eredivisie.

"It looks not good. He has a hamstring injury and maybe we will miss him for a few weeks," said Feyenoord coach Brian Priske, quoted by De Telegraaf.

At club level, this season Ueda has won the full trust of Priske to replace major striker, Santiago Gimenez, who was injured first.

The Mexican striker is expected to be able to return to action in December 2024.

The injury suffered by Gimenez was indirectly an advantage for Ueda. The Japanese striker did not waste the trust given by Priske.

Ueda scored a total of four goals from 14 matches in various competitions. Three of them were scored in Eredivisie and one other goal in the Champions League.

Ueda's sharpness was also tested in the Third Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. The 26-year-old striker was one of the Blue Samurai's top scorers with two goals throughout the four matches that had been played.

However, Ueda's hamstring injury while defending Feyenoord made him estimated to be absent in the next few weeks.

This means that Ueda is also threatened with not being able to play when Japan visits the headquarters of the Indonesian national team.

The Indonesian vs Japan national team duel will be held at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, on November 15, 2024, in the fifth matchday of the 2026 World Cup Qualification Third Round.

Ueda's absence could be an advantage for the Indonesian national team who are struggling to penetrate the top four of the 2026 World Cup Qualification Third Round.

Currently, the Garuda Squad is in fifth place in Group C with three points from four matches. Meanwhile, Japan is firmly in the top position with a collection of 10 points.