12 Mar 2007(Mon)

March 9, 2007: Washington was in top form again for Urawa Reds at Saitama Stadium the other night.

Not for his goals, of course, because you all know by now that he did not find the net in Reds' 3-0 victory over Persik Kediri in the Asian Champions League; it was for his reaction to being substituted -- or "dragged" to use the vernacular of the players in England.

A Reds substitution had looked imminent at 2-0 midway through the second half, with the pace and unpredictability of Ya-jin the obvious change.

But for whom?

Washington clearly did not think it would be him, and questioned the bench when the No. 21 was held up.

"Me?" he seemed to say, only in Portuguese. "Surely not. I'm bound to score soon, boss."

That was probably true, because by the law of averages Washington was due a goal, having missed too many chances and half-chances to list.

But off he came -- and so did his gloves and his shirt. Sources close to the tunnel said he had stormed into the dressing room to the accompaniment of every Portuguese swear word in the dictionary, and several that weren't.

"Where's Washington?" I asked Reds' assistant coach, Gert Engels, after the game. "In the dressing room?"

"No, he's gone," replied Engels, grimly.

"So he's on the team bus already?" I asked.

"I hope so," said Engels, with the hint of a smile, albeit a concerned smile.

During the post-match press conference, Urawa boss Holger Osieck gave a fine impression of Arsene Wenger.

Just like Wenger does not see all close decisions that favour his team, Osieck said he "did not realise" what had happened when Washington went off, and quickly changed the subject to Okano. All that training in FIFA diplomacy really came in handy on this one for the German coach.

It was a serious incident, though, and Washington should be fined for his outburst. We can't have every youngster in Saitama Prefecture throwing his gloves and shirt to the floor when being taken off. Even the fans might start removing their replica Washington shirts in frustration at Urawa Misono Station if they have to queue at the Fare Adjustment machine.

One last point from a very one-sided game. The team manager of the Indonesian side, Iwan Boedianto, blamed his keeper Wahyudi -- all 5ft of him -- for Reds' three goals. The first two, fair enough; but the third?

Very harsh on the keeper that, as Shinji's goal was a gem, curling it home, left-footed, from the edge of the box. Ono can do that in his sleep; a class act on the night, which is more than can be said for Washington.

By the way, does anyone want to buy a pair of Washington gloves? Worn for only 68 minutes.

ends