22 Nov 2004(Mon)

On the positive side, Japan qualified for the final round of 2006 World Cup Asian qualifying with a perfect record.

They played six and won six, and conceded only one goal, in a 2-1 victory away to Singapore on March 31.

On the negative side, I can't understand why Zico did not broaden his selection horizons in the home game with Singapore on Wednesday night.

Although they won 1-0 with a goal from Tamada, I firmly believe the national coach missed a wonderful opportunity to take a look at some new players ahead of the six-match qualifying group next year.

His selection looked like a reward to the loyal squad members who usually sit on the bench when the European players are around.

But this was not the case with the defenders, as Matsuda and Atsu Miura both got a game.

Which leads to another point of debate.

Why did Zico revert to 4-4-2 when clearly the players prefer, and the team plays better, with a 3-5-2 formation?

A few weeks ago I put forward the following team: Narazaki; Moniwa, Miyamoto, Nakazawa; Ishikawa, Konno, Koji Nakata and Murai; Ogasawara, and Suzuki and Okubo.

I thought a lineup like this would maintain the continuity and keep a strong team backbone, while giving a chance to some in-form J.League players to gain some World Cup experience.

If Zico thought this meant too many changes, and would lose the trust of his back-up players such as Matsuda, Atsu, Fujita and Motoyama, then why not just call them into the squad and let them sample life with the national team, making any call-up next year less daunting?

The group was already over and there was no pressure on Zico whatsoever, so I can't understand his selection policy.

Although Okubo won another senior cap, he failed to find the target again.

But I don't know why Zico didn't start with him, instead of bringing him on as a substitute and putting him under pressure to score his first senior goal in the time he had available.

I would have taken Okubo aside a couple of days before the game, told him he was starting the match and to relax and play his normal game. Maybe then a goal would have come, and the stigma which follows Okubo around at this level would have been over.

As I said before, Zico's record in World Cup qualifying is perfect at 6-0, but stronger opposition is waiting around the corner.

We'll know Japan's next three opponents at the draw in Kuala Lumpur on December 9th.

All I can say about next year is that I hope Zico does not revert to 4-4-2 and try to play all his European exiles in the same midfield and forward line.

Surely he has learned his lessons from the first qualifying round, and must now make tough decisions all national coaches face.

ends