9 Jun 2003(Mon)

When Zico announced his Confederations Cup squad on Friday, one decision was expected and another was not.

Sadly, but understandably, Shinji Ono will not be playing for Japan in France.

This was expected, as he is clearly exhausted and has several injuries after two seasons of European football without a break.

After the Urawa Reds-Feyenoord friendly at Saitama Stadium 2002, Feyenoord coach Bert van Marwijk said Ono needed five or six weeks' rest, otherwise his whole career may be in jeopardy.

Common sense has prevailed on this issue, and Ono can now have a long summer holiday and then begin to focus on next season.

So while the Ono decision was expected, Zico's omission of Yoshito Okubo from the 23-strong squad was a big surprise and an even bigger disappointment.

Okubo certainly looks the part, and gave the forward line a dash of energy and vigour when he was introduced for his national team debut as a substitute against Korea last Saturday.

I think this was a wonderful chance for Zico to take Okubo, and maybe even Naohiro Ishikawa, to France and let them be part of a big international tournament.

Japan's squad needs some new faces, but Zico prefers to stay with the players who are not producing their best form in the hope that they will start to come together as a team.

It was interesting watching Japan's practice at Cerezo Osaka's training ground on Friday afternoon, after the Confederations Cup squad had been announced.

Nakayama, Suzuki and Nagai, who will all go to France, were eclipsed by the dynamic Okubo in a training match. Okubo's speed and aggressive running made him stand out, and Zico has clearly taken a liking to him.

Which makes it all the more surprising why Zico did not take him along.

Takahara and Shunsuke were both missing from the training, and will team up with the national squad on Monday.

Japan have missed Takahara badly, and need him fit and firing if they are to get out of their group in France. Wouldn't a Takahara-Okubo partnership have taken defenders by surprise?

ends