Soccer: Troussier signals intent with bold selection

TOKYO - Japan coach Philippe Troussier chose substance over style when he unexpectedly named veterans Masashi Nakayama and Yutaka Akita in his World Cup soccer squad today.

As if to prove the point, Troussier left out Yokohama playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura in favour of the more combative Mitsuo Ogasawara as the Frenchman demonstrated that he would not be influenced by pressure from the Japanese media or public.

Nakamura is hugely popular among fans and sponsors alike in Japan but the 23-year-old has never quite managed to silence critics who regard him as a "luxury player" at international level.

Troussier, who left the announcement of his 23-man squad to Japan Football Association officials as he was in Paris to watch holders France play Belgium in a World Cup warm-up on Saturday, was clearly not convinced either.

The World Cup co-hosts have a number of quality players in midfield, including Parma's Hidetoshi Nakata and Feyenoord's Shinji Ono.

With Shimizu's Alessandro Santos likely to come in for Ono on the left and Arsenal's Junichi Inamoto and Shimizu's Kazuyuki Toda certain to fill the two defensive midfield positions, Troussier made a straight choice between Nakamura and Ogasawara.

Predictably, Nakamura's omission was big news in the tabloids on Saturday, with the Nikkan Sports even reporting that 80 per cent of more than 18,000 readers who answered their online poll thought that Nakamura deserved a place in the squad.

Troussier, however, will be more concerned with getting the best out of the players he has selected once the World Cup gets under way on May 31.

After months of speculation about his squad, Troussier has opted for a blend of youth and experience, with eight members of Japan's 1998 World Cup squad still present.

"I have chosen a group which I feel is the most balanced in terms of physical condition, ability, understanding of the game and mental strength," Troussier said in a statement handed to reporters on Friday.

Japan play Belgium, Russia and Tunisia in Group H in what was regarded as a "negotiable" passage to the second round until the 3-0 defeat by Norway on Tuesday gave the Asian champions a much-needed reality check.

Even a seven-match unbeaten run had failed to mask the shortcomings Japan were having both defensively and in attack which were ruthlessly exposed by a Norway side who failed to qualify for the World Cup.

The return of Asian Cup captain Ryuzo Morioka should add some stability to the defence but the recall of Nakayama is unlikely to solve Japan's problems up front.

Former Bolton Wanderers striker Akinori Nishizawa only had his appendix removed last week, Kashima Antlers forward Atsushi Yanagisawa has a broken hand and his club mate Takayuki Suzuki has been out of form.

Nakayama scored Japan's only goal in their World Cup debut in France four years ago and has been a talismanic figure for Japan in the past. But the Jubilo Iwata striker is too one-dimensional to be the answer to Troussier's prayers at the World Cup.

Along with the rest of the "old guard" who have been there before, however, Nakayama will provide a calming influence in the dressing room.

His work ethic and immense pride in wearing the Japan shirt is bound to prove contagious to the less experienced members of the squad.

- REUTERS

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