Nakamuras carry Samurai sword
(FIFA.com) Friday 30 April 2010
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The Japan team that competed at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ boasted two of the greatest midfielders in Asian football history in Hidetoshi Nakata and Shunsuke Nakamura. Following the former’s post-tournament retirement, however, the latter was left to shoulder an immense weight of responsibility.
The emergence of the 31-year-old free-kick specialist’s namesake, Kengo, has nevertheless shifted some of the burden. Now the Nakamuras will set out to work in tandem and help their country reach the Round of 16 and beyond at South Africa 2010.
An Asian greatShunsuke is not only an outstanding player, but he also has a wealth of experience in Europe. He turned out for Reggina from 2002 until 2005, before joining Celtic. Nakamura came into his own for the Bhoys, starring in the UEFA Champions League and helping them win three successive Scottish Premier League titles. The Yokohama-born ace also pocketed the Scottish PFA Players' Player of the Year and Scottish Football Writers' Association Player of the Year in the 2006/07 season.
“I think I got stronger and stronger there,” the Yokohama Marinos playmaker recalled of his time in Glasgow. “I could not play my football at Reggina because of their kick-and-rush style, but I was released from that stress in Scotland. My Celtic team-mates were top-class footballers, so it was easy for me to enjoy their pass-and-move style.”
Gordon Strachan, Namamura’s manager at Celtic, once described him as “one of the most brilliant playmakers I have ever seen”. Renowned for his free-kicks, including Japan’s opener against Australia at Germany 2006 and a stunning goal against Manchester United in the Champions League later that year, the N10 is also a master at creating chances with perfectly-weighted through-balls and crosses.
(FIFA.com) Friday 30 April 2010
Getty Images
The Japan team that competed at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ boasted two of the greatest midfielders in Asian football history in Hidetoshi Nakata and Shunsuke Nakamura. Following the former’s post-tournament retirement, however, the latter was left to shoulder an immense weight of responsibility.
The emergence of the 31-year-old free-kick specialist’s namesake, Kengo, has nevertheless shifted some of the burden. Now the Nakamuras will set out to work in tandem and help their country reach the Round of 16 and beyond at South Africa 2010.
An Asian greatShunsuke is not only an outstanding player, but he also has a wealth of experience in Europe. He turned out for Reggina from 2002 until 2005, before joining Celtic. Nakamura came into his own for the Bhoys, starring in the UEFA Champions League and helping them win three successive Scottish Premier League titles. The Yokohama-born ace also pocketed the Scottish PFA Players' Player of the Year and Scottish Football Writers' Association Player of the Year in the 2006/07 season.
“I think I got stronger and stronger there,” the Yokohama Marinos playmaker recalled of his time in Glasgow. “I could not play my football at Reggina because of their kick-and-rush style, but I was released from that stress in Scotland. My Celtic team-mates were top-class footballers, so it was easy for me to enjoy their pass-and-move style.”
Gordon Strachan, Namamura’s manager at Celtic, once described him as “one of the most brilliant playmakers I have ever seen”. Renowned for his free-kicks, including Japan’s opener against Australia at Germany 2006 and a stunning goal against Manchester United in the Champions League later that year, the N10 is also a master at creating chances with perfectly-weighted through-balls and crosses.
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