11 Aug 2003(Mon)

Here we go again!

After a few weeks' break since the end of the Confederations Cup, the spotlight will turn to the national team again next week.

On Monday, Zico will name his squad for the Aug. 20 friendly against Nigeria at Tokyo National Stadium.

I cannot imagine that he will call back all his players based in Europe, as they will be involved in preseason buildup or in early season matches.

At such a delicate stage of the season, it is vital for players to feel comfortable and focused with their clubs and make an impression on the head coach as soon as possible.

In this respect, Zico knows everything there is to know, so I am sure he will not push for the release of players such as Hidetoshi Nakata, Shinji Ono, Junichi Inamoto, Atsushi Yanagisawa, Shunsuke Nakamura and Naohiro Takahara.

That is quite an impressive list of players, isn't it?

If Zico decides just to pick J.League-based players, where does he start?

At the top, of course, meaning first-stage winners Yokohama F Marinos.

Marinos' goalkeeper coach, Dido Havenaar, rates Tatsuya Enomoto the second best keeper after Narazaki, so let's see if Enomoto can gain a place ahead of Sogahata or Doi. I think Zico will recall Sogahata, who was injured for the Confederations Cup.

In defense, Matsuda should be back. For me he is the best Japanese defender in the league, and his club partner Nakazawa may also get a recall.

In midfield, Yukihiko Sato is a candidate for the right side, and Zico will probably retain the experienced Oku. Tatsuhiko Kubo should return up front.

Jubilo finished in second place, but I am not sure how many players, other than Fukunishi, can strengthen the national team. I would like to see Maeda given a chance at this higher level.

JEF United were third, and Abe would not be out of place in central midfield. Why not have a look at Murai on the left wing, too?

FC Tokyo's defense was the meanest in J1, so Moniwa in the center and maybe Kanazawa at left back have a chance. FC Tokyo play with a back four, which is what Zico wants, and Kanazawa has fitted in well to the position. Ishikawa missed out on a place in the Confederations Cup, but should be called up.

Of the Japan-based players in the Confederations Cup squad, Narazaki, Ogasawara, Okubo, Santos, Nakata Koji, Miyamoto, Endo, Tsuboi, Yamada, Oku and Nagai should all survive, but there must be question marks against defenders Narahashi, Akita, Morioka and Hattori. These four did not play for one minute in the three games, as Zico went with Yamada, Tsuboi, Miyamoto and Santos as his defense.

If Zico sticks with a J.League team only, this could be his starting lineup against Nigeria.

Narazaki; Yamada, Miyamoto, Matsuda, Santos; Sato, Fukunishi, Nakata Koji, Ogasawara; Okubo, Kubo.

ends