The Future Hopes of FCTokyo (2.) Konno

Yasuyuki Konno is an unassuming but popular candidate from his age-group for the NT. Last year, his contributions to the U23 team and Tokyo revolved purely around his effectiveness in defense. During the qualifiers for the Olympics, coach Yamamoto declared Konno the MVP as he played doggedly through all the games without getting one yellow card. He is a shy person, not one to favor attracting attention; however, after his experiences on the U23 team and in Athens, I think Konno came back a more confident player. Returning to his club, he played a major role in Tokyo's victory over Urawa at the Nabisco championship when a teammate got red-carded and Tokyo had to play a ten-man team. The high caliber performance by Konno during this game as the sole defensive midfielder probably led to Coach Hara's idea this year to use only Konno in that position. Konno also proved he could score a number of goals through the 2nd stage league games. Even in this week's game, despite his defensive duties, he showed he could score a goal -- a beautiful low missile with enough punch to remind me of Inamoto.

Konno's chances on the NT may be lower than Ishikawa's, mainly due to the presence of Ono and Inamoto. Ono, who is famous for his soft-touch accurate passes and ability to create offensive build-up, and Inamoto who has experienced play in the Premier league as well as showing his stuff effectively marking the great Nedved in last year's Czech-Japan friendly. But Ono is prone to injury, and Inamoto is only recently getting back to form after a broken leg and may not have a starting position when he is returned to West Bromwich).

As for Konno's other rivals, there are Fukunishi, Nakata, and Endo. The first two have proved to be reliable point-getters, especially during corner kicks and free kicks -- these situations having proved to be Japan's biggest weapons. Endo has accuracy as a free-kicker, and is supposed to have mid-range shot ability (though I haven't seen one go inside the goalframe for a long time). In order for Konno to get past these guys, he'll have to make a concerted effort in developing as a game-reader/game-maker (ie. better passing intelligence) or showing ambition as a goal-getter. Yuuki Abe (an U23 teammate) was called up to the NT this year in this position too -- Abe having a high quality free kick (something of a pattern with Zico, huh?). But if I were to compare Konno's defensive abilities with Abe's, I'd pick Konno. Abe probably shows up better when it comes to passing and free kicks. But with Koji Nakata now playing in France, there is a chance that Konno will be called for some friendlies this year when the Euro club players are unable to attend. That will be his chance to capture Zico's attention.