10 Aug 2009(Mon)

August 7, 2009: Japan's been good to Ueslei -- and there's no doubt Ueslei has been good for Japan.

His contribution has been immense, not just his output in goals but also in his approach to the way a goalscorer should play.

And this is why I hope Ueslei really does come back to Japan in some sort of coaching position, as he indicated on announcing his retirement as a player with Oita Trinita this week.

I think there would be a role for him in Japanese football, not just at club level but maybe even with the national team, on a part-time basis as some kind of specialist in the art of scoring goals.

This may seem a strange proposal in many countries, as the desire to score goals comes naturally, but in Japan it clearly does not and players need enlightening.

It is not a matter of technique, more of mindset and the instinct to go it alone and have a go for goal, regardless of the consequences.

So if Japan is looking for someone to help them in this awkward problem, they could do much worse than hire Ueslei as forward coach, even on a temporary basis to see if he can make a difference. How about three months before the World Cup in South Africa?

Whenever and wherever he had the ball there was only one thing on Ueslei's mind -- to shoot and to score. It always amused me when he shot direct from corners, and surprised me when the keeper was not expecting it, as this was far from a new weapon in his armoury.

Maybe shooting from corners on the left wing might be taking it a bit too far, but Ueslei could teach Japanese forwards when to shoot and instill in them the thrill of seeing the net bulge and the joy of celebration. Ueslei would not be afraid to shoot from halfway, David Beckham style, if the keeper had strayed a few metres off his line, and he had the natural scorer's gift to relax when a chance came along, rather than to panic, hurry and ultimately miss.

Ueslei was not the best trainer in the world and not the best team player off the ball -- I remember the former Grampus coach Verdenik despairing with him at times -- but Ueslei's answer probably echoed that of the great Romario when coaches questioned his work ethic: "Why should I train hard when I score in every game?" Romario had a point, didn't he?

Age, injury and, it seems, family issues in Brazil finally caught up with Ueslei, forcing him to hang up his boots at 37 (in Brazilian years, that is; approximately 42 elsewhere).

The J.League will miss him -- but I am sure one day he will be back. He still has a lot to offer Japanese football, and I hope someone in the right place can recognise this.

ends