16 Feb 2006(Thu)

February 14, 2006: Well, it was brave and adventurous of Zico to give Shinji Ono a run behind the solitary striker against the United States.

But, even allowing for Shinji's lack of match fitness, it was clear the days of Ono as a bright and inventive attacking force are over.

Now it's Shinji the deep-lying midfield general; Shinji the protector, prompter and provider rather than the exciting, all-action player of old. He's the old head on young shoulders, a player Japan needs in the midfield engine room rather than playing further forward, where his qualities may be bypassed.

But it was well worth Zico taking a look at him in that advanced position against the USA, alongside Ogasawara and behind Kubo in the 3-4-2-1 formation.

Although the Japanese were taken apart in the first half and early in the second half by the fast, fit and motivated Americans, I don't think the system can be blamed.

It's just that, individually, Japan's players were outclassed and overwhelmed. I still think 3-4-2-1 is the way to go for Japan, as it means Zico can field six midfield players and have a balanced line-up with, basically, five defenders (the three at the back, plus the two central midfielders) and five attackers (the two wing-backs, the two shadow strikers and, of course, the centre forward).

Zico pointed out that Japan played well for the first 10 minutes, and it's true they did. One of the jobs of Ono and Ogasawara in that position is to harry the defenders and put them under pressure in the hope they will give the ball away.

When Shunsuke comes back he's going to have to do the same, so it's a demanding role as the two shadow strikers must defend effectively well up the field.

This is another reason why Shinji should drop back into central midfield, as his long-term fitness must still be a worry for Zico and Urawa after his recent injury problems.

If Zico prefers Nakamura, Ogasawara, Matsui, even Okubo or Hidetoshi Nakata for the two attacking midfield positions behind the lone target man, Ono would then have to scrap for a place in central midfield along with Nakata (both Hidetoshi and Koji), Inamoto, Fukunishi, Abe, Endo and now Hasebe (hopefully Konno, too).

Looking at Shinji's hectic schedule for club and country, let's hope he does not try and do too much too quickly.

ends