17 Feb 2005(Thu)

TOKYO (February 16): Even though we were standing behind a fence, and the match consisted of three periods of 45 minutes each, it was great to be back!

After the drama and tension of Japan's World Cup qualifier against North Korea, it was a more relaxed atmosphere at Kodaira on Sunday afternoon.

The occasion was a practice match between FC Tokyo and Ventforet Kofu, and several hundred fans turned up, along with a considerable number of media.

Last season seemed a long time ago, so it was interesting to watch a few players who had slipped from the memory due to the high profile of the national team.

These included Konno, a real gem, in midfield, the lively Ishikawa on the right wing, and the tidy, under-rated Kanazawa at left back.

Kaji, of course, was also in the starting lineup, despite his exertions for the national team. Kaji must be one of the fittest players in the J.League, with a great engine. In fact, when his football career is over, I could imagine him taking up the marathon, as he must run close to a marathon distance during 90 minutes on the pitch!

An interesting addition to the FC Tokyo squad is Brazilian Danilo, who has replaced the injury-prone Kelly.

Aged 23, Danilo looks like he's spent most of his life on the beach. He has the appearance of an Australian surfboarder rather than a footballer, with flowing locks, a deep sun tan, a few ear-rings and an impressive tattoo which covers the lower half of his right leg.

On closer inspection, the tattoo is of himself, with the letters D-A-N-I-L-O down the side, suggesting this guy is not short of self-confidence!

On the pitch he is a very different player to Kelly.

Whereas Kelly was an out-and-out attacker, and a very clever and dangerous one when fit, Danilo plays much deeper.

He likes to take the ball off his defenders and then play a sweeping pass out to the wing, to Ishikawa on the right or Toda on the left, or look for his compatriot, Lucas, through the middle.

Danilo is a very busy player, and uses his stocky frame well to shield the ball and keep opponents at a safe distance.

During his time as national coach, Troussier often complained that this was a weak point of Japanese players. If the Frenchman could see Danilo in action, using his body to protect the ball, I'm sure he would be impressed, and advise Japanese players to study this aspect of the game.

Coach Hara has an abundance of central midfield players, such as Konno, Baba, Asari, Miura (Fumitake) and Miyazawa, so his biggest task is to integrate the individual skills of Danilo into the team, and define his role clearly.

Anyway, it was nice to be back among the J.League scene, and I'm sure several hundred fans felt the same.

ends