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Japan - The Next Generation

To the great joy of many onlookers (particularly this reporter), the most conspicuous absences from the lineup were old-timers who have used their connections and past fame to finagle spots in the national team time and again despite the fact that time has clearly passed them by. The vast majority of the selections were players who have formed the core of the U-21 team that took silver at the World Youth Championship in Nigeria, players who took part in the U-23 qualifications and finals of the 2000 Olympics, and members of the Asian Cup champion team. In other words, the old generation has been sent out to pasture, and the young blood has taken over.

Following the February training camp, the national team will make a tour of France in March and a tour of Spain in April. Japan will take part in the Confederations Cup from late May to June 10, and will probably travel to South America later in the year. As alluded to above, the players that make up the teams taking part in these competitions will probably be drawn from the 45 members attending the Fukushima training camp. A complete list is provided below.

World Cup Tickets? . . .You Wish!

On January 29, the organising committee in Japan announced that tickets applications will be accepted beginning February 15. A total of roughly 510,000 tickets will be distributed to the public for matches in Japan (a roughly equal number will be available for matches in Korea). Applications for the tickets will be accepted by mail, or via internet sites set up by both organising committees as well as one set up by FIFA.

This is all well and good. However, in the 24 hours following the announcement, the JAWOC website received 7 million inquiries from people merely seeking information on how to obtain application forms or how to apply via the internet (this a full two weeks before the applications will even be accepted). Each applicant will be allowed to apply for up to four tickets, and the actual persons to whom tickets will be sold are to be determined by lottery. Based on the organising committee's original estimates, it was beleived that your chances of being a lucky winner, and having the chance to purchase tickets, would be about one in 55. However, following the massive response, the committee reports that it now believes the chances to be about one in 100. Tickets for the final match, in Yokohama, are expected to receive about 350 inquiries for each ticket available. KOWOC reports a slightly lower, but still intimidating number of likely requests for tickets to matches in Korea.

If this were not enough bad news to those hoping to get a seat at the big event, JAWOC announced that, in order to prevent ticket scalping (which is illegal in Japan), it intends to check ID and ticket stubs. Each ticket issued will bear the name of the legitimate purchaser, and those who cannot demonstrate that they are the person who purchased the tickets will be refused entry. Those who planned to finance their trip to Japan by scalping extra tickets, think again!

Recent Trades & Acquisitions

In addition, Ossie Ardilles has indicated that he plans to sign a former striker for the Uruguay U-23 squad. Updates will be provided once this report can be confirmed

First, Matsuki managed to convince veteran midfielders Atsuhiro Miura and Hideki Nagai (both former national team members) to leave Yokohama Marinos and join Verdy for less money than they were making at their former club. While this may have something to do with both players' former connection to the now-defunct Yokohama Flugels, it has also sparked rumours of player discontent with Ossie Ardilles (but that is another story). In addition, Verdy acquired striker Takafumi Ogura, formerly of Nagoya Grampus and JEF Ichihara. I guess JEF figured they had sold off all their other decent players so they might as well get rid of Ogura too. Ogura is a big and powerful forward who may not have the greatest touch, but can certainly add some power to Verdy's attack. Finally, the team signed veteran striker Nobuhiro Takeda, a journeyman player who has played for Verdy twice in the past, as well as for a host of other teams. While Takeda is getting on in years, he has always had a good finishing touch, and his experience will help the club as well.