Back pain forces Kagawa out of Japan qualifier

TOKYO (AFP) - Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa will miss Japan's World Cup qualifier against Iraq on Tuesday after withdrawing from the squad because of back pain.

The 23-year-old felt discomfort in his lower back during training on the eve of the match at Saitama, north of Tokyo, and failed to fully recover in time, the Japan Football Association said.

The extent of his injury was not immediately clear. United have a Premiership clash at home against Wigan Athletic on Saturday and a Champions League opener against Turkey's Galatasaray at Old Trafford next week.

The association said Hannover defender Hiroki Sakai had been also sidelined due to pain in his left ankle injured in Japan's opening 1-0 win over Spain at the London Olympics.