Japan will be without key central defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka for Friday's clash with South America's Argentina.

Tanaka will miss Alberto Zaccheroni's first game in charge of the Blue Samurai because of soreness in his right knee it has been revealed by the Japan Football Association.

JFA technical director Hiromi Hara confirmed that doctors advised the Nagoya Grampus star against playing in the friendly in Saitama. Tanaka did join the squad for training on Monday but trained away from the group.