Ono - sees Inamoto as the key player (Allsport)
INAMOTO THE KEY - ONO
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Midfielder Shinji Ono believes his team-mate
Junichi Inamoto holds the key to Japan's World Cup hopes.
The Japanese go into their final Group H game against Tunisia on Friday
needing only a draw to book a place in the last 16 after impressive performances
against Belgium and Russia.
After a 2-2 draw with the Belgians, Japan recorded their first-ever victory in
a World Cup finals with a 1-0 win over Russia thanks to Inamoto's second goal of
the tournament.
And Ono feels that the Arsenal man, who failed to make a single league
appearance for the Gunners last season, is their main attacking threat.
"Inamoto can smell a chance and moves into that space. Whenever he comes up
front, that becomes a chance for our team," Ono told the Japan Times.
"He judges the situation right, but I haven't reached that stage yet."
Inamoto is apparently due to sit down with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to
discuss his future following Friday's clash with the Tunisians in Osaka.
While Inamoto is setting the world alight, Ono feels he is now ready to step
up to that level after lifting the UEFA Cup with Feyenoord last season.
"After playing and training with the players who I used to watch on TV, I've
learned that I don't have to be too reserved," the 22-year-old added.
"As you've seen in the tournament here, the Japanese players are not inferior
to foreign players. That inspires me."
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