Veteran midfielder Shinji Ono putting country first

Shinji Ono the versatile Japan midfielder is resigned to playing a substitutes role when Japan play their first game against Australia.

Ono who has always commanded a starting place in the Japan team is up against a lot of competition in midfield and even though coach Zico will most likely start with five midfielders, the holding role in midfield looks likely to go to Takashi Fukunishi ahead of the Shinji Ono.

However, Shinji Ono is the sort of player who can come off the bench and use his vast experience to the team’s advantage. And with the World Cup, the team’s strategy is key compared to an individual player’s.