Inamoto lifts host nation’s hopes

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger watched Junichi Inamoto spark a World Cup frenzy after Japan’s 1-0 victory over Russia.

Prior to the start of the tournament Inamoto is a name Arsenal fans are likely to have forgotten, but now he is certain to be known the world over after making history for Japan.

Inamoto had also largely been forgotten in his homeland following his much-heralded £4million move from J-League side Gamba Osaka to Highbury last summer, only for the 22-year-old to rot for almost the entirety of last season in the Gunners reserves.

Two appearances in the Champions League and another two in the Worthington Cup are all Inamoto had to show for his time with a team who eventually went on to win the FA Cup and Premier League double.

Inamoto is apparently due to sit down with Wenger to discuss his future following Japan’s final Group H clash with Tunisia in Osaka on Friday.

PSV Eindhoven were understood to be chasing Inamoto prior to today, but after his match-winning performance against Russia to leave Japan on the brink of the last 16, it is likely a posse of European clubs will be fighting for his signature.

Wenger, at the World Cup as an analyst for one of the Japanese television stations, offered a simple comment on Inamoto’s display as he said: ‘‘He was very good today’’.

It was still enough to make Inamoto blush as he looked on, although when asked about his future he remains cautious, conceding: ‘‘The World Cup is a great tournament and everybody is watching, and for now it is all I want to concentrate on.’’

While many players will have become frustrated playing reserve team football and may have perhaps vented their disgust, Inamoto believes the last year has proved of great benefit.

‘‘For the last year my fans in Japan have not seen much of me, so I’m really happy to show what I can do in front of them,’’ added the blond-haired Inamoto.

‘‘But it’s been a great experience overall at Arsenal, one which has given me a great deal of confidence,’’

‘‘I know I haven’t played much, but I’ve been training with great players every day, and this has contributed a great deal to my experience.’’

Japan coach Philippe Troussier has fervently stood by Inamoto, despite his lack of first-team football, and such faith has been rewarded by two goals in two Group H matches.

Troussier reckons Inamoto will have underlined his worth to Wenger as he said: ‘‘His manager was watching in the stands and he took advantage to show his qualities.

‘‘I don’t think Arsene will have been surprised by what he has achieved because it is Arsene who signed him. I know that I’m not surprised by his quality.

‘‘Obviously, he didn’t play all year at Arsenal, but he knew Arsene was watching from the stands and he wanted to prove something to himself and also to his coach.

‘‘We know Japanese players have difficult expressing themselves when they go abroad, particularly on a personal level, but he has now shown he can play at world level and I hope Arsene Wenger will appreciate his qualities a lot more.’’

Inamoto’s sweet 51st-minute strike capped an incisive move involving Koji Nakata and Atsushi Yanagisawa, with the man-of-the-match sending the near-70,000 crowd at the International Stadium into hysteria, including Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

Russia had their chances to equalise, in particular through Vladimir Bestchastnykh soon after, but Japan were not to be denied their first World Cup victory.

In a country renowned for its earthquakes, such a triumph will have sent shockwaves reverberating throughout the football world as another of the game’s major names found themselves humbled by a so-called ‘minnow’.

Inamoto feels the footballing community at large will now sit up and take notice as he said: ‘‘We’re a young team, but we’ve momentum and if we can make use of that then we can go on and prove ourselves even more.

‘‘I at least hope this win will contribute towards changing people’s opinions of Japanese football. We’re here to show the progress we’ve made, but to prove ourselves we have to get to the second round.’’

Japan now top their group, ahead of Belgium’s clash with Tunisia tomorrow, although a point should be all that is required from their final match with the Africans in Osaka.

Troussier is aware the entire nation of Japan is likely to get carried away with such a momentous occasion, but is determined to keep his player’s feet on the ground.

‘‘I am very proud of being head coach of this team, and obviously this is a very important moment for the nation and for Japanese football,’’ stated Troussier.

‘‘This is, of course, a major achievement. But now we must head back to our camp and start to focus again.’’

Russia, meanwhile, face what is likely to be a winner-take-all clash with Belgium on Friday, which suits assistant coach Mikhail Gershkovich just fine.

‘‘The only consolation for us is that the tournament goes on and we have another game to play with Belgium,’’ said Gershkovich.

‘‘What we do like is that everything is now in our own hands. We win and we go forward.’’