11 Mar 2004(Thu)

Japan's Olympic team coach Masakuni Yamamoto has made two changes to his group for the second phase of the final qualifying round in Japan next week.

Yuki Abe came in for Takeshi Aoki, and Yoshito Okubo replaced Daisuke Sakata in attack.

The fact that Abe and Okubo came in was hardly a surprise, because Yamamoto had suggested he would make changes when announcing his original squad for the trip to Abu Dhabi.

Okubo for Sakata was also predictable, as Tanaka, Takamatsu and Hirayama were not going to be left out after their efforts in the first three games.

But, for me, the guide to how much this team has improved since last year is the fact that there is no place for Aoki.

For a long time he was indispenable in this squad.

The Kashima Antlers midfielder played as libero for the under-23s, and this position enabled him to display the full range of his elegant, natural ball skills. Combined with his strong physique and power, Aoki could go on and become the complete player. He still has time on his side.

But, for the moment, Yamamoto does not need him.

Now he has Tulio, who has quickly become the heart and soul of the team. He has added character and passion, and has emerged as a natural leader.

When things aren't happening for Japan in attack, he tries to get things moving by roaring forward, but making sure Konno is covering the space he has left behind.

Yamamoto now has Abe, too, as the JEF United player has recovered from his foot injury which required surgery in December.

JEF manager Ivica Osim is considering playing Abe as libero this season in the J.League, but he has been named as a midfielder in Yamamoto's squad.

I can't see Yamamoto changing either of his two central midfielders, Suzuki and Konno, although I wish Konno would stop pulling the jersey of his opponent, which I saw him do needlessly on a couple of occasions in Abu Dhabi.

But Abe will get his chance during the second phase, either at the back or in central midfield.

Aoki won't, and that goes to show how much the long delay in the final qualifying round, caused by the SARS outbreak, has benefited Japan's Olympic team.

ends