3 Mar 2005(Thu)

TOKYO (March 1): Tokyo Verdy 1969 remind me of the public bus service in England, not just in 1969 but even this year.

You wait a long time in the cold and rain and nothing happens, then two come at once!

Verdy, a trophy-free zone for so long, followed up their Emperor's Cup title on New Year's Day by winning the Xerox Super Cup at International Stadium Yokohama on Saturday.

It wasn't a great match, despite the exciting finish, because both teams looked rusty, and Marinos had several important players missing.

This must be a worrying thought for Okada-kantoku, with the likes of Kubo, Ahn, Matsuda, Sakata, Adhemar and, don't forget, Yamase all sidelined before the season even starts.

But back to Verdy, who were missing a key player of their own in Yoneyama (it's only fair to point that fact out, too).

Even before Saturday's success I thought Verdy might be a dark horse for the title this season.

Ardiles has produced a characteristically neat and tidy team, and Verdy have spent well in the winter.

Washington was wanted by a few clubs in Europe and in Japan, but Verdy pushed the boat out to secure his signature.

He bagged 34 goals in 38 Brazilian championship games last season, and it was easy to see why on Saturday.

He is a big man, but Nakazawa could not catch him in the first half, and Kurihara almost disappeared into the turf like a corkscrew when Washington twisted and turned him on the edge of the box, just before the break.

In the second half, Washington resembled a human bulldozer as he battered his way through the Marinos defence to score twice.

Although Toda was at fault for Marinos' first goal, scored superbly by Ohashi, the former S-Pulse fighter is a fine Verdy signing.

A Troussier favourite but a Zico outcast, Toda will add steel to the Verdy back line or midfield, and will make his presence felt to opponents around the park.

I have always liked Hiramoto--he reminds of Yanagisawa (Atsushi, not Masayuki)--and 2005 could be his breakout year.

Another reason why Verdy could be a dark horse is because they will be able to keep their team together, while others lose players at regular intervals for national team duty.

I pointed this out to Ardiles, but he disagreed: "No, because we will have players in the national squad too this year."

For example?

"Soma. He is a wonderful player. I think he's the best left-back in Japan."

Better than Alex and Atsu? (Ardiles knows both players very well, of course).

"I am not comparing them," he said. "They are my friends also."

Should be an interesting season at Yomiuri Land!

ends