28 Oct 2004(Thu)

Shinji Murai showed good timing on Saturday.

Not just with his excellent opening goal for JEF United in their 2-0 victory at Nagoya, but also when it was scored.

Surely, as Zico looks ahead to Japan's "dead" World Cup qualifier against Singapore on November 17, the national coach is going to experiment.

Not with Kazu, Gon and Akita, as I am strongly against this idea.

But with players from the Olympic team (Moniwa, Konno, Ishikawa, Okubo?) or who are playing well in the J.League.

The Olympic team did not have an outstanding left-sided player, but there are two or three in the J.League besides Zico's usual choices of Alex and Atsu Miura.

This is why Murai scored his goal at such a good time, and quite rightly received some very positive reviews in the Sunday papers.

The 24-year-old winger gives the team such a nice balance on the left flank, as Sakamoto does on the right in JEF's tight 3-5-2 unit.

He has the skill and the pace to beat his man and either send over a teasing left-footed cross, or to go for goal himself.

I remember once, in his very early days at Ichihara, that he said how he admired Ryan Giggs--and that is the perfect role model to follow in that position.

(Off the pitch, too, Giggs is popular even with non-Man United fans. As a sidenote, most United players are detested by the opposition supporters, but never Giggs. He is always respected.)

After the game at Nagoya, JEF manager Osim said Murai could play like that more often, and could score more goals, too, as he has so much natural ability.

He certainly looked hungry to score, and beat his defender twice before striking the ball confidently past Narazaki with his trusty left foot and into the top corner of the net.

A couple of weeks earlier, Murai had looked impressive and mature playing for the Japan Selection against Hungary in the Olympic celebration match at National Stadium.

If Zico wants to have a look at a couple of new faces, Murai would not let him down on the left wing, and would also put some pressure on Alex to hold his place in the team.

Alex always looks like he's playing well within himself, saving himself for some special moment. But that moment never comes, and he's been a bit disappointing for Urawa this season. Also, with his corners and free kicks, he frequently fails to clear the first defender, and this is a very frustrating habit.

Go on Zico...give Murai a chance on the left wing against Singapore.

After all, the club deserves more recognition at this level after their consistent efforts in the league.

ends