Ono joins up with Japan squad

Feyenoord indicated to the Japan Football Association last week that they were not willing to release the 25-year-old midfielder for his country’s matches against Iran in Tehran on March 25 and Bahrain in Saitama on March 30 as he was still recovering from ankle surgery.

The Dutch side later relented after allowing Ono to undergo medical tests on his ankle.

Ono had been sidelined for two months after undergoing surgery for the injury that he sustained in December. However, he has scored goals against RBC Roosendaal and Roda JC since returning to action for Feyenoord  in late February and played the full 90 minutes in Sunday’s 4-2 win at RKC Waalwijk.

The Kyodo News Agengy reported that Ono left after the match for Frankfurt, where Japan are in training for their World Cup qualifying matches.

"It's been a while so I'll try my best to make an impact," said Ono, one of six Europe-based players selected by Japan coach Zico for the World Cup qualifiers.