1 Nov 2004(Mon)

A German journalist once wrote that FIFA president Sepp Blatter had 50 new ideas every day...and 51 of them were bad.

Ｔhis phrase came to mind when learning of the developments in Zico's plan to field a "Golden Oldies" team against Singapore in Japan's final Group 3 World Cup qualifier on November 17.

It appears that many of the 16 first division clubs are against the idea, and have made their feelings clear to the head of the JFA technical committee, Kozo Tashima.

Good for them!

I hope the feelings of the clubs will be taken into consideration, and the plan will be dropped before Zico announces his squad.

According to reports, Tashima will speak to Zico about it when the Brazilian returns from yet another holiday in his home country (I thought he'd be better off checking out the young talent in the J.League, with a view to strengthening his squad for next year.)

So all is not lost for the people within Japanese football campaigning for the future, not the past.

I have been against the plan from day one, as it throws up so many questions.

For example, what if Gon Nakayama scores three against Singapore? How can Zico drop him from the squad for the next game?

What if King Kazu nets four, like he did in 1997 against Uzbekistan in a 6-3 win at Kokuritsu? Again, how can Zico then leave him out?

I think the plan is ridiculous, and thankfully it seems that many J1 teams do also. The JFA should block it.

The match against Singapore represents a wonderful chance for Zico to give World Cup experience to some fresh faces.

Although the match is meaningless in terms of qualifying for the next round, as Japan are safely through, it is still a World Cup qualifier, and that means there is pressure and expectation.

What better opportunity will Zico have to test some new players? After all, he has complained regularly that he doesn't have enough time with his players before World Cup games, but on this occasion he prefers to turn it into a testimonial match.

There is no need to bring back the Euro Stars, so here is my Japan team to take on Singapore: Narazaki; Moniwa, Miyamoto (captain), Nakazawa; Ishikawa, Konno, Koji Nakata, Murai, Ogasawara; Suzuki, Okubo.

ends