4 Feb 2008(Mon)

February 2, 2008: Coaches can often be led to an improvement in their team due to unforeseen circumstances.

Take the example of the Japan-Bosnia match the other night, when an early injury for Maki led to the introduction of Yamase in the 33rd minute.

Yamase was quick to make his mark, adding some zip and zest to Japan's plodding midfield. Sure enough, in the second half Japan went on to win 3-0, with Yamase setting up the first for Nakazawa and scoring the next two himself.

Surely the Yokohama F Marinos schemer has played himself into the starting line-up to face Thailand on Wednesday, probably at the expense of Kengo Nakamura on the right side of midfield. This would leave Suzuki as the lone "volante", Endo on the left and Okubo at the top of the diamond, behind Maki and Takahara.

I was very happy to see Okubo in the starting line-up against Bosnia, albeit in a deeper role behind the forward line. I wasn't sure if Okubo would be as effective in this position, as his chances against Chile had come by playing as an out-and-out striker.

But Okubo made some very good runs from deep against Bosnia which took him beyond the back line, and he was unlucky not to connect inside the box.

Certainly, with the workhorse Maki charging around after anything that moves -- he set up the clear shooting chance for Takahara against Chile, remember, by doing just that -- and with Takahara looking for space in the box, opposition defenders have plenty to keep them busy even before calculating Okubo's darting runs.

I also thought Yamase lifted the mood of the team and of the fans by being confident and aggressive, and by being prepared to shoot. Okada pointed out after the match that Japan had been too casual in the first half by trying to score the picture-perfect goal. Endo and Uchida were both guilty of declining to shoot when the goal was in front of them, instead opting to pass the ball and with it the responsibility.

This is not a new problem for Japan teams, but is still irritating and frustrating to say the least. Okada can get even tougher on this point by simply substituting a player in the future, or dropping him. Yes, I think it is that important at this level!

Looking ahead to the opening World Cup qualifier, Japan can win comfortably against Thailand if they play in a professional, business-like manner from the start. They must be aggressive. They must shoot. They must take an early chance and not let up.

This is the team I expect Okada to turn out: Kawaguchi; Uchida, Nakazawa, Abe, Komano; Suzuki, Yamase, Endo, Okubo; Maki, Takahara.

ends