25 May 2009(Mon)

May 23, 2009: Takeshi Okada caught a lot of people off guard with his squad announcement on Thursday afternoon.

In the build-up to the national coach's press conference at JFA House, there was little expectation of new faces or surprise selections for the Kirin Cup and World Cup qualifiers.

So when the name of Naoki Yamada was spotted at the bottom of the list of 10 midfield players in a squad of 26, a buzz began to circulate among the large media gathering.

This was a surprise; a pleasant surprise and even a bold move by Okada, who proved in 1998 with the selection of Shinji Ono that he is quite prepared to give inexperience a chance if he sees something he likes.

This now applies to Yamada, a 1.66-metre, 64-kg bundle of energy and invention. Still only 18, Yamada has quickly established himself as a Reds favourite this season, linking well with lone striker Edmilson as he breaks forward from midfield.

If Okada retains his 4-2-3-1 formation, the natural role for Yamada would be in the middle of the three, from where he can make those darting runs into the box, and the Kirin Cup gives Okada the perfect opportunity to test him with the pressure off.

The JFA will be happy, too, as the inclusion of Yamada provides a big talking point and focus for the media, guaranteeing plenty of coverage for the national team and a knock-on effect for the J.League -- not that Reds need any help to attract more fans.

I also like the fact that Yamada has come through the ranks at Reds, from junior youth to youth and now first team after starting at the Kita Urawa club, and is not some over-hyped "star" from the national high school championship thrown suddenly into the professional ranks.

Yamada is one of three uncapped players in the squad, the other two being central defenders Yamaguchi of Gamba and Makino of Sanfrecce. With Terada injured, Okada needs cover for his first-choice central defensive pairing of Nakazawa and Tulio, and is banking on the ACL experience of Yamaguchi and the youthful leadership, communication skills and personality of Makino to provide that.

Plenty of talking points, then, in Okada's announcement, but none more so than the adventurous selection of 18-year-old Yamada.

ends