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| ReutersYonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| APYonhap News |
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Japanese national defender Koki Machida (Hofenheim), who entered the German Bundesliga, a big European league, this summer, was seriously injured in his debut.
Hoffenheim announced on its official website on the 24th (Korea Standard Time) that surgery was inevitable after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in the left knee in the first round of the Bundesliga against Leverkusen at Bayerena in Leverkusen, Germany, on the 23rd.
Machida, who helped his team win the Belgian professional league for the first time in 110 years as a key defender of Winion SG in the 2024-2025 season, joined Hoffenheim and achieved his big league dream at the age of 28, but faced a desperate situation in just one game.
Machida, who started the day, injured his knee in a collision with Leverkusen's Alejandro Grimaldo just before the end of the first half and was replaced by Artur Chavez in the first minute of extra time. Hoffenheim won 2-1.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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"Machida's injury is also bitter news for Hoffenheim and Gorky himself," said Andreas Schicker, director of Hoffenheim Sports. Machida quickly adapted to the team for a short period of time, and was playing a key role, especially in defense. This injury is a big blow to us."
"We will support Machida with all our support and stand firmly on his side" and "We will find a left centre-back replacement in the remaining transfer window because Machida is expected to be out for a long time.'
Machida, who started his professional career with Japan's Kashima Antlers, was selected for the first time for the Japanese national team in 2023, after entering Europe, and quickly secured the starting position. He played 17 A matches in two years, contributing to Japan's advance to the 2026 North-China World Cup finals.
However, due to an unexpected cruciate ligament injury that is inevitable to be absent for several months, it is impossible to guarantee that he will advance to the World Cup finals.
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Japan's A-match player composition was inevitable in September as defenders such as Takehiro Tomiyasu (invincible), Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich), Gota Takai (Tottenham), and Ko Itakura (Ajax) were injured or in an invincible situation.
Major central midfielder Aoi Tanaka (Liz United) and defensive midfielder Hidemasa Morita (Sporting) were also injured in their team's game. Leeds manager Daniel Falke explained after the match against Arsenal that Tanaka suffered an injury to his inner wife. Ahead of the two consecutive away friendly matches against the U.S. and Mexico in September, Japanese national team coach Hajime Moriyasu is increasingly agonizing.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
