Kawasaki Frontale striker Yu Kobayashi has withdrawn from Vahid Halilhodzic’s Japan squad due to an injury.

The knock was sustained during Frontale’s 1-0 loss at Montedio Yamagata in J.League action on Sunday.

Kobayashi will be replaced by Nagoya Grampus striker Kengo Kawamata, who netted twice in the 3-1 Yamazaki Nabisco Cup win at Frontale last Wednesday.

Halilhodzic will make his Japan coaching debut later on 27th March against Tunisia in Oita, before facing Uzbekistan on 31st March in Tokyo.

The Bosnian begins his new adventure after leading Algeria to the World Cup round of 16 in 2014.