23 Jun 2008(Mon)

June 20, 2008: Yoshito Okubo only has himself to blame for his red card against Oman and subsequent three-match ban by FIFA.

It was a silly, petulant and unnecessary kick at keeper Ali Al Habsi after their goalmouth clash, and the referee had no option but to send him off.

His punishment was announced on Thursday, and it included a fine for the JFA.

With all this going on, I'm surprised to keep reading and hearing that Okubo is in line for his second Olympic appearance, this time as an overage player in Beijing.

While he would no doubt add a bit of zip and aggression to the forward line, I don't think Okubo should be considered at all after this latest indiscretion.

Even if coach Sorimachi does pick one, two or three overage players, why should Okubo be one of them?

No, he's let down his country with his red card, and an Olympic call-up would be hard to justify by the JFA.

What sort of a message does that give to youngsters around the country? Kick the keeper when he's on the ground, get sent off in a crucial World Cup qualifier -- and win a place in the Olympics!

As much a fan as I am of Okubo's, and still believe he can become a regular goal scorer for the national team, I don't think he should take the place of a more worthy candidate.

I have said before that I don't think Japan should include any overage players anyway, as the Olympics is more about experience than medals as far as the men's football team is concerned, and I'd rather take a young wild card such as Mu Kanazaki than Okubo, who will gain nothing.

And if Okubo is selected, the other teams will have done their homework and will be winding him up from the kick-off, waiting for him to explode and, hopefully, get another red card.

With only 16 outfield players, it would be a massive blow to lose one of them through suspension during the tournament.

Okubo must now set about restoring his pride by being a more mature captain of Vissel Kobe, rather than pulling on the blue shirt in Tianjin and Shenyang.

ends