Japan to miss soccer star

One of the brightest talents in Asian soccer, Shinji Ono, has been overlooked for Japan's 18-strong squad for the Sydney Olympics.

The 20-year-old Urawa Reds midfielder was conspicuous by his absence in the squad announced on Sunday by Japan's French national coach, Philippe Troussier.

Ono played for Japan at the France World Cup two summers ago and captained the under-20 team that reached the final of the FIFA World Youth Championship in Nigeria in April 1999.

But he sustained a serious knee injury during Japan's 11-0 victory over the Philippines in an Olympic qualifier in Tokyo on July 4, 1999, and his recovery suffered several minor setbacks.

Troussier gave him a final chance to prove his fitness in a senior friendly international against the United Arab Emirates on August 16, but Ono was substituted at half-time.

At a Tokyo press conference on Sunday night, Troussier refused to talk about players omitted from the 18 out of respect to the ones chosen, but added: "I have tried to get the right balance and pick players who know the strategy.

"There is strong competition for places within the 18 and also cover for all positions in case of suspension.

"For the players who were not picked, they must go back to their clubs and continue to work hard. After all, the Olympics is only a stepping stone to the 2002 World Cup."

Troussier, however, does not feel that the Japanese Football Association and professional J.League are working in unity on the road to 2002.

The national team manager expressed his frustration that two members of his Olympic squad took part in the J.League's annual all-star game on Saturday night against his wishes and the recommendation of the JFA doctor.

"Two players who needed to rest and who had a medical certificate to keep them out of the game were pressured to play and risk injury," said Troussier.

"This was against the interests of the Olympic team as we try to present the most beautiful image of Japanese soccer in Sydney, and defend the colours with honour."

The Squad:

Goalkeepers: Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus Eight), Ryota Tsuzuki (Gamba Osaka).

Defenders: Ryuzo Morioka (Shimizu S-Pulse), Tsuneyasu Miyamoto (Gamba Osaka), Naoki Matsuda (Yokohama F Marinos), Yuji Nakazawa (Verdy Kawasaki), Koji Nakata (Kashima Antlers).

Midfielders: Atsuhiro Miura (Yokohama F Marinos), Hidetoshi Nakata (AS Roma), Tomokazu Myojin (Kashiwa Reysol), Shunsuke Nakamura (Yokohama F Marinos), Masashi Motoyama (Kashima Antlers), Tomoyuki Sakai (JEF United Ichihara), Junichi Inamoto (Gamba Osaka), Norihiro Nishi (Jubilo Iwata).

Forwards: Tomoyuki Hirase (Kashima Antlers), Atsushi Yanagisawa (Kashima Antlers), Naohiro Takahara (Jubilo Iwata).

Note: The three players permitted aged over 23 are Narazaki, Morioka and Miura.

Other Olympic soccer-related stories:

Japan, South Korea look to boost Cup hopes

China's soccer Roses bloom

Barcelona 3, Real Madrid 0 in Spain squad

Injured star jinxes Aussie hopes

Golden Eagles get ready to soar

Name squad or else, Nigerian coach told

Organisers play down soccer pitch woes

Romario misses out on Olympics

Soccer sells, Rivaldo or no

Rivaldo happy to be out of Sydney