4 Oct 2004(Mon)

The good news for Urawa Reds fans is that their team is still top of the table, and Tatsuya Tanaka will surely come good again soon.

I have watched Reds' last two games, away to FC Tokyo and at home to Gamba Osaka, and Tanaka has been very quiet by his normal standards.

He's hardly had a chance to score a goal, and there has been little evidence of the blistering pace that can destroy defenders.

After the 2-1 victory over Gamba at Komaba, I asked Guido Buchwald about Tanaka.

Guido admitted that Tanaka was a "little bit down," due to his experience at the Olympic Games in Athens.

"The Olympic Games was not good for him because he did not play," said the Reds manager.

"He was for three or four weeks only a tourist, and it was not a good time for his condition and mentality."

Buchwald, however, is not worried by Tanaka's dip in form, as I am sure the Reds fans are not too concerned.

"He is coming again step by step. It is not a problem. He is a very important player for us," said the affable German coach.

I am sure that Tanaka will come good again soon, not only by scoring a few goals but also his work off the ball.

With Emerson and Tanaka together, they can give defenders a torrid time with their speed and direct running, and it will take a very good team to keep this pair out.

FC Tokyo managed it the other week in a 1-0 victory, when Jean and Moniwa were outstanding in the heart of the Tokyo defence.

I think that Moniwa, and also Konno, will be picked for the national squad shortly.

Once the Oman game in Muscat is out of the way (I cannot see Japan losing this one, as they can secure a draw quite comfortably), Zico might be tempted to bring in some Olympic players for the final Group 3 game at home to Singapore on November 17.

I would like to see Moniwa, Konno, Ishikawa and certainly Okubo in the national squad sooner rather than later, but Zico does not seem to like calling up new players at the expense of older ones who have served him loyally, even if they are not in the team.

Tanaka, too, will surely get his chance, but first he needs to rediscover his pre-Olympic form.

When he does, defenders had better watch out!

ends