'He's been feeling under the weather during these past few days. He can't make it' Experienced campaigner Toshimitsu Izawa has been forced to withdraw from the Visa Dynasty Cup starting tomorrow because of 'flu, presenting Japan captain Isao Aoki with another blow as his team attempt to prise away the trophy from an increasingly confident Asian team. Izawa, who partnered Shigeki Maruyama to victory in the 2002 EMC World Cup at Vista Vallarta in Mexico, is one of the most experienced players on the Japan team. Just days ago, the Japanese team had to contend with players' safety concerns after Shenzhen was rocked by anti-Japanese demonstrations. Earlier this month, the Japan team were forced to make do without Dynasty Cup number two, Toru Taniguichi, who decided that his wedding with former flight attendant, Aki Yoshioka, took priority over the tournament. Now, the highly respected Aoki will have to lead his assault on the World Cup course at Mission Hills Golf Club without the 37-year-old Izawa, who helped lift the World Cup for Japan for the first time in 45 years. Aoki has promised to grab the Dynasty Cup following Japan's failure two years ago and had hinged his hopes on two superstar players in Maruyama and Izawa, who he hoped would play a pivotal part in helping Japan claim Asia's version of the Ryder Cup. Izawa has been replaced by one of the young upstarts in 25-year-old Takuya Taniguchi, who was last year's Rookie of the Year on the Japan tour and has been a touring professional since 2002. 'It's unfortunate that Izawa had to withdraw. He's been feeling under the weather during these past few days and he has been suffering from 'flu. He can't make it. He will stay at home in Japan to rest,' said Aoki. 'This is too bad for us but we have to move on and we have a good alternative in Takuya Taniguchi. He competed in the qualifying school in the US last year. He wants to be a good international player so it's a good chance for him to shine. 'Izawa could have made it here in this tournament by flying in] on Thursday night, but I have decided that since it's a team event and players have to be together, Izawa should be replaced by another player.' Despite Aoki's latest setback, he was relieved that top player, Maruyama, arrived at Mission Hills on schedule yesterday. Aoki still has class on his side with Japan Tour Order of Merit winner Shingo Katayama and a host of other good players such as Keiichiro Fukabori. 'Izawa may be absent but everybody else on the team is here and they are ready. Last time, we lost by a lot of points but this time, we are looking for a big win with big points,' he said. 'I spoke to all the players this morning and they are all raring to go and they all want to win. As a captain, I am happy that our players are very strong this year,' said the Japan captain. Aoki will also be renewing old rivalries with Asian team captain, Hsieh Min-nan, who had his share of battles with Aoki on the Japan Tour in years gone by. Hsieh said his team were confident of another victory at Mission Hills, the world's biggest golf facility with 180 holes. 'A lot of the players have won titles this year and they are in great form. They have got talent and they have the capability to pull off another win. Japan want to win but we are not going to let them,' he said.
