23 Aug 2007(Thu)

August 21, 2007: The final qualifying round for the Beijing Olympics is about to start, and for me there is only one option for Japan – keep it simple.

Japan’s strength is out on the wings, with Mizuno on the right and Honda on the left, and the aerial power of Hirayama at center forward.

Readers know that I still have great reservations about Hirayama in general, and whether he is good enough to make the grade even in J1, but there is no doubt he is good in the air at the age-group level.

So while a direct style of play may go against what Osim is trying to achieve with the national team, I believe it represents Japan’s best chance of topping a group that is completed by Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The priority must be to get the ball out to the wings, and get crosses into the box for Hirayama to wreak havoc. Primitive may be; predictable may be; but also pragmatic.

What I don’t want to see is Japan trying to pass the ball too much and either losing it in dangerous areas or squandering chances to shoot, which this Olympic team has been guilty of in previous games, despite their successful record.

This does not suit Hirayama’s style, and clearly coach Sorimachi has decided the Athens Olympian is going to be his main man in attack, hence the omission of the more refined, mobile and technically superior Bobby Cullen.

I think Japan’s defence is good enough, but where the team struggles is in the center of midfield. I do not think they have the quality to dominate a game in this area, but they can stretch opponents on the wings and provide a supply line to Hirayama in the middle. Then it is up to the second striker and the attacking midfielders to get up in support of Hirayama and be first to the knock-downs and the scraps in the box.

Like I said, not particularly pretty, but I think it’s Japan’s best chance. There is not much point trying to involve Hirayama in intricate passing moves across the line. Better to just keep him in the middle, tell him to watch for offside, and let the wingers or full backs, depending on the formation, just knock it into him.

I still think Japan can win this group, but only if they play to their strengths, persistently and unashamedly.

ends