Okada-Morimoto: nothing to lose, everything to gain
August 21, 2009: News that Takeshi Okada will select Takayuki Morimoto for the Netherlands trip next month has certainly created a buzz around the national team set-up.
With the central striker’s role in Okada’s 4-2-3-1 formation very much up for grabs, the 21-year-old Catania forward will get his chance to shine in the two friendly matches against Holland and Ghana.
Okada, of course, has absolutely nothing to lose in calling up the former Verdy striker, and everything to gain as he may prove to be the answer to his problems in the build-up to the World Cup in South Africa.
Having established himself in Italy, after an initial spell on loan and following a serious knee injury, Morimoto has proved he has the talent and the character to succeed at the highest level.
And when he is playing, and scoring, in a league renowned for the quality of its defenders, the youngster should not be fazed by the step up to the national team.
One World Cup-winner who will not be surprised by Morimoto’s rise is the former Verdy manager Ossie Ardiles. I remember interviewing Ardiles in the Verdy clubhouse at Yomiuri Land and the Argentine legend was gushing in his praise of the young centre forward.
Morimoto had been named MVP of a youth tournament in Europe, and received his prize from the Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Ardiles said Ferguson had been mightily impressed with Morimoto’s fast and dynamic play, and would be tracking his career with interest. That interest may not be over just yet, even though the price of Morimoto would be significantly higher four years on.
Catania also think they are on to a good thing, as they have extended his contract through to June 2011 to guarantee a bumper transfer fee should bigger clubs start circling overhead, ready to snatch him from Sicily.
The call-up is just reward for Morimoto, and well timed by Okada, at the start of the new European season, and the player should feel instantly at home with Okada’s squad, despite the severity of the tests that lie ahead.
ends
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Comments
jeremy,
good post. i cant wait to watch morimoto's ntaional side debut, but wonder whether he will get the starting nod or will come in as a sub. how do you think this would change okada's tactics? if he were to play okazaki and morimoto up front for example, would okada switch to a more traditional 4-4-2? and do you reckon honda gets a starting nod?
i am a japanese american but just spent the last 6 months in london. absolutely loved it.
i just started a blog on japanese football as well, please check it out and leave a comment. cheers
Posted by: nihon daihyo int | 08/28/2009 at 04:56 AM