26 Apr 2007(Thu)

April 25, 2007: Just when Kashima Antlers were getting going, and just when Atsushi Yanagisawa was getting going, everything has been put on hold again.

After breaking a bone in his left foot, the Antlers captain is out for three months, which is a great pity for fans of the player in particular and the team in general.

Throughout his career Yanagisawa has won many admirers by scoring some fantastic goals for club and country. One that remains in the memory for me was a sparkling solo goal against Reysol one evening at Kashiwanoha, where he used his tremendous acceleration to surge through the home defence before finishing with a cool, crisp strike.

I have seen him in action only once this season, in a 3-3 draw at Chiba, and after the match Antlers manager Oswaldo Oliveira said Yanagi was starting to hit peak condition.

And so it proved, with a lovely winner away to Yokohama FC and then both goals in a 2-1 victory at Shimizu S-Pulse on Saturday.

With the bright and skilful playmaker Nozawa back in action after his injury, the two linked well for Yanagisawa's first goal at Shimizu, and then the striker scored his second of the match with a clean, precise header at the far post.

This was the Yanagi of old, showing all the predatory instincts needed for a top-class striker.

Sadly, though, his injury has ruled him out for some time, which will surely hold up the progress of the team as they were starting to climb the table.

Looking ahead to this weekend, an Antlers team with Yanagisawa in top form would have posed a great threat to Urawa in what should still be a cracking match played in front of a huge crowd, thanks to the masses travelling from Saitama Prefecture and the improved form of the home team.

The setback also ends any hope he may have had of a national team comeback in time for the Asian Cup in July.

Although he would not have been thinking about that, I am sure deep down he would like another chance in the blue shirt to bury the nightmare of Germany, where he missed so horribly in the 0-0 draw with Croatia.

Many critics will remember him for that alone, but he has scored too many fine goals during his career to be labelled a national team flop.

ends