Which Japanese strikers will make it to the World Cup?

Japanese boss, Zico has a big dilenma on his hands in the run up to the World Cup in June. And like a lot of other bosses, the big question is ‘Which Japanese strikers will make it to the World Cup?’.

The task of choosing his final 23 for Germany could prove a little tricky than anticipated, especially on the attacking front.

I remembered when I blogged at the start of the year that Zico stressed the need for Japan forwards to demonstrate more of a killer instinct in front of goal and made instilling a ruthless streak into his strike force his chief priority in the build-up to the finals.

However, with the number of friendlies played against the likes of United States, Bosnia, Finland and Ecuador, the strikers put on show in each of these matches haven’t been that convincing to the boss.

To be honest, most of Japan’s European-based forwards are struggling at their respective clubs and Zico was given further cause for concern when Atsushi Yanagisawa, who returned to Kashima Antlers on loan from Messina until June in order to boost his World Cup hopes, last month suffered an injury that has cast a dark cloud over his prospects of making the finals.

It is also a well known fact that Zico is loyal to the players who have performed for him in the past and in all likelihood, Kubo, back after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a variety of injuries, and German-based striker Naohiro Takahara, who rarely plays well for Japan, are as good as on the plane.

Zico’s recent comments suggest that Yanagisawa is also a sure-fire bet should he beat the race against the clock.

He said that “Yanagisawa is a very important player for Japan. He did brilliantly at (last year’s) Confederations Cup and the World Cup qualifiers. It’s unfortunate that he got injured and I really want him back as quickly as possible.”

Supersub Masashi Oguro is another probable on the strength of his crucial goals in the World Cup qualifying campaign, although apart from a recent hat-trick he has done little to strengthen his case since an ill-timed move to French second-division club Grenoble from Gamba Osaka.

Also, Real Mallorca’s Yoshito Okubo and Takayuki Suzuki, who is currently plying his trade at Red Star Belgrade, also have outside chances of inclusion.

There is not much room for maneuver and Zico must now ponder whether newcomer Hisato Sato and Seiichiro Maki can give Japan something extra in Germany.

Zico was quick to sing the praises of Sato and Maki, who relieved misfiring Kubo and Tamada of their duties against the South Americans in Oita.

Time is running out for Sato and Maki, who have just two more matches in next month’s Kirin Cup against Scotland and Bulgaria to force their case. I believe they both still stand a chance to make it to Germany.

Sato, the top Japanese scorer in the J-League last season, is well aware that his World Cup chances are slim at
best but was pleased with the timing of his late goal against Ecuador, his second in four appearances for Japan.

I believe Coach Zico will continue to ponder which strikers he will take to Germany. But the good thing is he has a variety of options.