Ono expects tough match

Legendary Japanese midfielder Shinji Ono is predicting a tough encounter for his former Blue Samurai team-mates when they face the Qantas Socceroos in Brisbane next month.

Legendary Japanese midfielder Shinji Ono is predicting a tough encounter for his former Blue Samurai team-mates when they face the Qantas Socceroos in Brisbane next month.

Ono, 32, plays his football nowadays with J.League outfit Shimizu S-Pulse, alongside Qantas Socceroo striker Alex Brosque.

Ono was a substitute in Japan-s 3-1 loss to Australia at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and has visited Sydney previously to play for former club Urawa Reds in the AFC Champions League.

“My personal memory is 2006 in the World Cup in Germany, I was sitting on the bench at the start,” said Ono.

“I didn-t start in the starting eleven and after 56 minutes it was 1-0 for Japan, after I came in and we lost 3-1, that-s not my favourite memory!”

Ono believes rumoured Manchester United target and former Borussia Dortmund striker Shinji Kagawa looms as the Qantas Socceroos- most dangerous threat, but warns the quality of the Blue Samurai goes beyond their 23-year-old wonderkid.

“I think all people know Shinji Kagawa, he plays with Dortmund, he-s very, very dangerous for the opposing team,” said Ono.

“Also (Yasuhito) Endo, the defensive midfielder and (Ryoichi) Maeda, striker, he plays with Jubilo Iwata, he-s a dangerous player.”

Conversely, Ono-s knowledge of Australian football is sound, particularly given his stints alongside two current Qantas Socceroo squad members.

“I know Kewell, my favourite player is Kewell and also Brett Emerton, I played with him at Feyenoord for a few years.

“(Alex Brosque) is very kind and a gentleman.

“Also, he wants to do 100% of what he can do on the pitch and off the piece also, he-s a nice man.”

As for the outcome in Brisbane?

“It-s a difficult question, of course I have to say Japan win the game,” said Ono.

“But Japan people know the Australian quality, I think it will be a difficult game.”

The Qantas Socceroos begin their final phase of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup with a clash against Oman in Muscat on Friday, 8 June.

Soon after, the Qantas Socceroos will host Japan in their first home fixture of the fourth stage of Asia-s FIFA World Cup qualification process on Tuesday, 12 June at Brisbane-s Suncorp Stadium. Kick off is at 8pm.

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