14 Sep 2006(Thu)

Tokyo, September 13, 2006: The involvement of Australia in the Asian Football Confederation can only be good for the development of the game in this part of the world. Quite simply, they have become the team to beat at both club and national team level.

They have already proved their quality at the World Cup, beating Japan and going out unluckily to Italy when the referee awarded a very generous penalty late on.

Now comes news that Mark Viduka wants to carry on playing for the Socceroos through to the Asian Cup finals next summer, when Japan will be attempting to win the continental crown for the third straight time. It was thought Viduka would retire from the national team after the World Cup, but he clearly wants more action.

The presence of Viduka, and maybe other leading players such as Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill and Lucas Neill, can only raise the profile of the Asian Cup in the eyes of the football world. It will also make it more prestigious to win for the established Asian powers such as Japan, South Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

In 2000 in Lebanon, and in 2004 in China, Japan proved they were the top team in Asia, but Australia will provide much tougher opposition than Japan have faced at either of those two events.

By then, of course, Japan will have played considerably more matches under Ivica Osim, and I expect the team will be settled and will know exactly what they are supposed to be doing.

For Osim and the JFA it will be a big step on the road to the 2010 World Cup, just like it was for Troussier's team in 2000 when the Frenchman was still rebuilding the side.

If Osim is going to use any of the players based in Europe, particularly Shunsuke Nakamura, the Asian Cup will provide the perfect time to do it. Qualifying from a group containing teams at J2 level, such as India and Yemen, is one thing; but playing in the Asian Cup itself is another.

Will Osim want to win the title at all costs, or will he settle for the continued development of the team on the road to 2010, which is the much bigger goal?

Although it is too early to say, I would think Osim will persevere with the players he has, rather than fall back on recalling players in Europe.

I think he will show faith in the J.League players and faith in his own judgement regarding selection, and trust that they can build a new Japan.

All of which makes a Japan-Australia rematch in the Asian Cup next year a mouth-watering prospect.

ends