15 Feb 2007(Thu)

February 14, 2007: Shunsuke fans can prepare for a homecoming at Nissan Stadium on March 24 when Japan play Peru in their first match of the year. I have no idea, of course, if Ivica Osim is going to pick Nakamura -- but somehow I feel the time is right for him to do so.

Since succeeding Zico after the World Cup, Osim's priority has been to bring in fresh faces and change the mood of the team, and most people would agree he has achieved this.

He felt there was no point in bringing back players from Europe for matches that would provide a good test for his J.League players; and it is not as though he did not know everything there is to know about the players in Europe anyway.

But now, with his focus changing to the defence of the Asian Cup in July, he is moving on to step two -- and this is why I feel Shunsuke will be back in business for the Peru game.

Osim has said the timing of such a move is everything, not just for the national team but for the player himself.

And it is no coincidence that Nakamura is enjoying his best season in Europe and playing consistently well for the Hoops because he has been concentrating only on club football.

Celtic's Champions League Last 16 ties with Milan are on February 20 and March 7, and, if the Scots progress, the quarter-finals will be between April 3 and April 11.

In the Scottish Premier League, Celtic play Falkirk on March 18 and Dundee United on March 31 -- so Japan-Peru on March 24 at Yokohama is ideal for a Shunsuke return. I would also think Osim would like to see how Shunsuke fits into the team, bearing in mind there are only two Kirin Cup games in June before they head for Hanoi.

Yes, all things point to a Shunsuke call-up for the Peru match -- a full house and mountains of cash for the JFA.

Makes sense to me.

ends