Japan captain Wataru Endo is in a race to be fit for their World Cup opener against the Netherlands on Sunday, leaving coach Hajime Moriyasu "praying" he makes it.
The Liverpool midfielder is struggling with a foot injury and was not involved in any full training sessions at ****** an's pre-tournament camp in Mexico.
Endo took part in running and passing drills with his team-mates on Monday after moving to their World Cup base in Nashville, and Moriyasu said he was still in contention to face the Dutch in Dallas.
"According to the medical reports, there is nothing to say that he can't play," Moriyasu, whose team also play Sweden and Tunisia in Group F, told reporters before leaving Mexico.
"So we just believe, pray and wait."