18 Oct 2004(Mon)

The World Cup qualifier in Oman went pretty much as expected.

The home team attacked aggressively at the beginning, but after this brief flurry of activity Japan took control and dominated the game.

Then, seven minutes into the second half, Takayuki Suzuki headed home a beautiful cross from Shunsuke Nakamura to give Japan the lead.

This goal, I thought, killed the game as a contest, and Japan won easily in the end to clinch first place in Group 3.

Japan's record speaks for itself: Played five, won five, 15 goals for and only one against for a maximum 15 points.

Overall it was a very mature and concentrated performance by Japan, who looked in a different class to Oman for long periods of the game.

This is a tribute to the professionalism of the J.League, and also to the experience of the players based in Europe.

Didn't Ono look like a true general?

Once again, though, I thought Japan's man of the match was Nakazawa.

Just like in the Asian Cup, he was a tower of strength at the back.

Everything Oman sent into the penalty box came straight back out again off the head of Nakazawa.

His tackling, too, was impressive, as he reads the game so well.

I have said this before and will say it again, that Nakazawa has everything it takes to succeed in Europe, and I really hope he gets his chance at the end of this J.League season.

After the game, when all the fans had disappeared and the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex was deserted and silent, I chatted with a member of the Asian Football Confederation's marketing team.

"One of these players will be a candidate for Asian Player of the Year," he said. "Guess who?"

Instantly I repiled Nakazawa.

"Right! He was outstanding again. I really hope he gets nominated," said the marketing man.

So do I, as I often think defenders are overlooked for these awards at the expense of the more creative, eye-catching, but not necessarily consistent, attacking players.

All in all it was a highly satisfactory night for Japan, who passed a potentially tricky test of character with ease.

Now they are in the last eight of the Asian qualifiers for Germany 2006. With two teams advancing from each group, and with the third-placed team also having a chance to qualify, Japan should be able to book a World Cup ticket comfortably.

But they must display the same control and maturity they showed in Muscat, and treat all opponents with respect.

Prepare for some noisy nights in 2005!

ends