8 Jun 2006(Thu)

Tokyo, June 6, 2006 -- Well, at last it's over.

Japan's build-up to the 2006 World Cup officially ended Sunday with a 1-0 victory over Malta.

But, like so many of the friendly games played in the four years under Zico, it was pretty much a waste of time.

What did Zico learn?

Probably nothing.

What did the hollow victory do for the morale and confidence of the team?

Ditto.

Apart from Tamada, whose early goal gave Japan the win, it's unlikely anyone gained much.

Even the defence, who kept a clean sheet, know the opposition was of a low quality.

With so many changes during the game, it became meaningless again, as Japan struggled to beat a team they were clearly dominating. It was just a bunch of individuals going through the motions, because they all know who's in and who's out when it really matters.

No, I'm relieved all the build-up games are over, and so, I suspect, is Zico.

He'll just want the Australia game to arrive as soon as possible, so they can finally play the real thing.

No more tests, no more mass substitutions, no more excuses -- just two teams playing for the massive prize of three points in their Group F opener.

Among the subs on Sunday were Ono, Inamoto, Ogasawara and Maki. I was surprised Zico did not start Maki, in the absence of Takahara and Yanagisawa, because I feel Oguro is tailor-made for the bench.

The former Gamba forward is lethal coming into the game as a second-half substitute. As much as I admire his poaching prowess, I just don't think he has the all-round game to make an impact in the starting eleven at this high level.

Let Maki run the defenders into the ground for 60 or 70 minutes, and then bring on Oguro to finish them off...

Tamada took his chance, but I tend to think he would be more suited playing on the left side of midfield when Zico deploys a 4-4-2 formation, provided he has a solid left-back behind him.

Which brings us round to Koji Nakata. I have said before and will repeat that he is wasted on the left side of defence. Koji has the experience and the football brain to be playing in the centre of midfield.

I'd love to see him alongside the other Nakata -- Hidetoshi -- in the middle of the park, in a 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 formation, because he is a natural defender who can also break forward and score goals.

As I said, all these friendlies seem to cause more problems than they solve, and I am just glad they are over.

Bring on the Aussies!

It's now or never for Japan.

ends