15 May 2006(Mon)

Tokyo, May 12, 2006 -- Well, Reds fans, wasn't it reassuring to see Shinji Ono in such fine form for club and country in the last few days.

At Saitama Stadium 2002 last Sunday, Shinji scored two lovely goals in the 4-0 demolition of a very disappointing Kashima Antlers team.

Two days later, at Osaka, he came off the bench in the second half against Bulgaria and looked confident and authoritative, almost like the Shinji of old.

I must admit I'd been worrying about him a lot this year -- as many others would have been.

He didn't look fully fit, he didn't look sharp, and he was not imposing himself on games. In fact sometimes I thought he'd been substituted, because he disappeared for long spells, which is most un-Ono like!

But with Ponte and Hasebe in the team, and Keita holding things together behind them, Ono could afford to take his time and work his way back to full fitness. Ono is nothing if not a true professional, and, barring any late setbacks, it seems he'll be in as good a condition as could be expected for the World Cup, considering his cruel history of injuries.

Apart from his two goals against Antlers, what impressed me the most was when he picked himself up, unscathed, after being clattered by Antlers substitute Chugo.

I bet Guido Buchwald and Gert Engels on the bench, plus some 50,000 Reds fans in the stadium, were fearing the worst when Shinji stayed down. Another knock, a trendy metatarsal injury, maybe?

But no. Shinji was able to continue, and eventually left the field four minutes from time to, as expected, proud and loud applause from the Reds nutcases.

But will Shinji be a starting member against the Aussies on June 12?

It's too early to say, of course, because lots can happen between now and then, but his chances are improving by the game.

And where's his best position?

I've said before this year that defensive midfield would suit him better, where he can read the play and control the game more with all his experience.

Alongside Fukunishi or Hidetoshi Nakata? Probably Fukunishi, who is a naturally defensive player, whereas both Nakata and Ono are naturally attacking players. A four-man midfield of Ogasawara-Nakata-Ono-Nakamura could give Japan too much flair and not enough substance in the centre of the park against the Aussies and Croats.

Zico doesn't need to worry about that kind of detail just yet. He'll just be happy to have a fit and confident Ono back in business and available for selection.

ends