15 May 2003(Thu)

Zico's list of 30 players for the East Asian Football Championship made pleasant reading at the JFA headquarters in Shibuya on Tuesday afternoon.

Among the 30 names were three members of Japan's Olympic squad: Daisuke Matsui, Naohiro Ishikawa and Yoshito Okubo.

The squad will be cut to 20 before the tournament starts on May 28, but Zico said that one of the three would be included.

This immediately started the guessing game.

Which one of the three talented youngsters will be selected to join Japan's elite?

Ishikawa is a bright and quick right winger who has become a firm favourite of the FC Tokyo fans, although he is still only on loan from Yokohama F Marinos. But with Zico expecting the attacking width to come from his full-backs, not from his midfielders, Ishikawa's chances seem slim.

This leaves it a straight fight between Matsui and Okubo.

Personally, I hope Okubo gets the vote.

I have followed his career with interest since his days with Kunimi High School, and he has already put a serious injury and relegation to J2 behind him to become a force, at just 20 years old, in J1 with Cerezo Osaka.

I remember covering a Nabisco Cup game between Gamba and Cerezo at Banpaku Stadium early this season.

Okubo's pace and aggressive running caused quite a few problems for Gamba defender Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, although the Cerezo youngster was substituted before the end.

After the game, outside the changing rooms, Okubo was in tears during a conversation with manager Nishimura. It reminded me of Paul Gascoigne's uncontrollable blubbering after England's 1990 World Cup semi-final defeat by Germany!

Nishimura said Okubo was just frustrated because he couldn't show his best form, as he wanted to do his best in every game.

I love this attitude. And I love to watch Okubo on the field. When he misses a chance he is angry and tries to kick something: the turf or a water bottle by the goal or something. When he scores he is elated.

He plays with passion and emotion, and this stands out noticeably in Japan where players can often be too reserved and look as if they don't care whether they win or lose.

There is a naughty side to Okubo's game, though, as his elbows can come into play during aerial duals, and he is not afraid to foul when he feels like things are not going his own way.

It is a big step forward for Zico to pick Okubo in the 30, and I hope he makes it into the 20. My feelings on Matsui have already been recorded. A lovely, gifted player, but lacking discipline in his play.

But with Zico preferring individual flair and flashy play, maybe Matsui will be the chosen one.

ends