15 Apr 2004(Thu)

Zico attended the Reds-Vissel game at Komaba Stadium on Saturday, probably to check on his national team defenders.

Three of Zico's back four, of course, play for Reds: Nobuhisa Yamada, Keisuke Tsuboi and Alessandro Santos.

Of the players on view during the afternoon, clearly the best defender was....Yukio Tsuchiya of Vissel Kobe.

This was the second time I had seen Vissel play this season, following their 0-0 draw at Niigata.

On both occasions, Tsuchiya was the outstanding individual of either side.

His match Saturday got off to a bad start, when he was harshly adjudged to have fouled Tatsuya Tanaka. Santos scored from the penalty spot, and Vissel were chasing the game after only two minutes.

From that point on, though, Tsuchiya played like a man possessed.

A couple of tackles on Tanaka were among the best I've seen in the J.League, perfectly timed, hard and fair.

He is also commanding in the air and is an inspirational leader.

He scored Vissel's equaliser himself, from close range at a left-wing corner kick, but would then have been disappointed with Reds' winner from Hasebe, as this followed another corner, this time from the right. It was a sweet finish by Hasebe, though, sweeping the ball high into the net on the half-volley.

Defeat for Vissel was cruel on Tsuchiya himself, who, at 29 years old, is surely at the peak of his playing power.

I wonder if Zico calls him into his squad for the two-match tour to eastern Europe at the end of this month.

After the game I spoke to Vissel manager Ivan Hasek.

"I hope he stays here," said Hasek, when I suggested Zico should pick him.

"He is a very good player, a very important man for my team.

"He is strong and quick, very strong in one-on-one situations, has a good mentality and scores goals. He is a great player."

Hasek does not like to single out individuals, but he could not help but praise his vice-captain Tsuchiya.

I hope Zico has a look at him.

ends