15 Jun 2006(Thu)

Bonn, June 13, 2006 – Many of the media covering England here at the World Cup have been critical of Sven-Goran Eriksson for not giving Theo Walcott a run against Paraguay.

Why bring a young but untried talent such as Walcott and then leave him on the bench when the team lacks attacking spark?

That was the school of thought after England´s cautious approach, and I was thinking similar things after Japan´s defeat by the Socceroos.

Having picked Maki as his one surprise, I thought the latter stages of the Australia game were perfect for him to make his debut in the World Cup.

But no, Zico made a puzzling choice by sending on Ono at a time when Japan needed some defensive grit and fresh legs rather than a third playmaker alongside Nakata and Nakamura.

I thought the situation called for Maki. Zico could have sent him on and told him to run after anything that moved, preferably in a gold and green shirt.

Japan were defending deeper and deeper as the second half wore on, and Maki could have defended from the front, harassing the Aussie defenders and midfielders when in possession and putting them under pressure. Who knows, Maki might have been an attacking threat, too, as his height and fresh legs would have caused problems for the tiring Australian defenders.

Instead, though, the Australian substitutes just formed an orderly queue on the edge of the Japan box, and waited for the next high ball to come along.

It was only a matter of time before the Socceroos broke through, and no one could say they were surprised when Cahill equalised following a moment of misjudgement by Kawaguchi.

What a shame for poor old Yoshi, who was in line for an MVP performance due to a string of spectacular saves in the first and second half.

His error came on a Neill throw from the left. The keeper came but didn´t quite make it, and Cahill was on hand to fire home the loose ball.

This was just the beginning of the end, as Japan quickly crumbled. I hope it´s not too late for Maki to have a meaningful run against Croatia. Or what was the point of bringing him?

ends