No Shunsuke, no problem
Even without Shunsuke Nakamura, Japan should have no problems beating India in their World Cup qualifier in Calcutta on Wednesday.
The Asian Cup MVP has pulled out with a back problem, but the Japanese squad has enough talent to overcome his absence.
It's true that in China, for the Asian Cup, Nakamura played a key role in the team's victory with his ability at free kicks and corners and to unlock an opposing defence with a neat pass.
(However, I would have still made Nakazawa the MVP of the tournament, as defenders are valuable players, too).
Although there will be no Shunsuke to swing in the corners and free kicks, Zico will still have Alex if he needs a good left-footer.
On his day, Alex can be very dangerous, too, but I have noticed on several occasions this season that his corners from the right wing are weakly struck, and do not clear the first defender at the near post.
I don't know if this is a Reds tactic, aiming for the near post, but I'm sure Zico will be telling him to get more elevation on his corners, and look for Nakazawa at the back post.
Elsewhere in the team, Yanagisawa has pulled out, too.
Who can blame him?
He knows he will not be a starting member, and feels it is more important to practice with his new club, Messina, for the start of the Italian season.
Although I have always admired Yanagisawa, and stuck by him through the lean times, again Japan should not miss him.
This is simply because the J.League is producing so many top-quality players, and they have many players in all positions who can now come in and do a good job. Tamada is just the latest.
India will be missing their best player, Bhaichung Bhutia, who is injured.
Their English manager, Stephen Constantine, described him as India's David Beckham, but without the tattoos.
He is an inspirational figure in the squad, and he will be missed more by India than Nakamura or Yanagisawa will by Japan.
A comfortable win for Zico's team is predicted, but this will not be the case ahead of the Oman game next month in Muscat.
ends
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