Toke-E-Yo
02-28-2005, 05:11 AM
the following article was taken from www.asian-football.com
Nakata's Fiorentina future in doubt
Feb 28, 2005
Ian Griffiths/FootballAsia.com
FLORENCE, ITALY - Hidetoshi Nakata’s future at Italian Serie A side Fiorentina has been clouded in doubt after the two-time Asian Player of the Year was unceremoniously dropped at the weekend.
The Japanese midfielder was a high profile casualty of the damaging 1-0 defeat at local rivals Siena just over a week ago – a result that pushed the Viola ever nearer to the relegation zone and infuriated their highly influential owner Diego Della Valle.
Della Valle described the derby day reverse as “embarrassing� and lambasted several of the team’s stars for their abject performances.
Fiorentina coach Dino Zoff reacted to the stinging criticism by replacing the 2002 World Cup ever-present with Nigerian starlet Chris Obodo for Saturday’s creditable 2-2 draw with high-flying Udinese.
Whilst the point will go some way to soothing Zoff’s furrowed brow, Nakata’s recent loss of form remains a major source of concern for both Fiorentina’s coaching staff and Japan national coach Zico.
Nakata, who joined the Serie A outfit last September, has not played an international game since last March. A groin injury ruled the 28-year-old out of last year’s Asian Cup in China and, despite returning to full fitness, he has yet to convince Zico that he should be recalled.
The Brazilian – citing Nakata’s indifferent displays at club level – chose to exclude the former Bellmare Hiratsuka star from his squad for the 2-1 World Cup Qualifying win against DPR Korea on February 9.
With Japan’s next qualifier against Iran at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium less than a month away, Nakata’s current domestic plight is unlikely to propel him back into contention.
http://www.gazzetta.it/Foto%20Hermes/2004/09-Settembre/14/nakata--310x210.jpg
am I the only one who still has faith in Nakata? :worried:
Nakata's Fiorentina future in doubt
Feb 28, 2005
Ian Griffiths/FootballAsia.com
FLORENCE, ITALY - Hidetoshi Nakata’s future at Italian Serie A side Fiorentina has been clouded in doubt after the two-time Asian Player of the Year was unceremoniously dropped at the weekend.
The Japanese midfielder was a high profile casualty of the damaging 1-0 defeat at local rivals Siena just over a week ago – a result that pushed the Viola ever nearer to the relegation zone and infuriated their highly influential owner Diego Della Valle.
Della Valle described the derby day reverse as “embarrassing� and lambasted several of the team’s stars for their abject performances.
Fiorentina coach Dino Zoff reacted to the stinging criticism by replacing the 2002 World Cup ever-present with Nigerian starlet Chris Obodo for Saturday’s creditable 2-2 draw with high-flying Udinese.
Whilst the point will go some way to soothing Zoff’s furrowed brow, Nakata’s recent loss of form remains a major source of concern for both Fiorentina’s coaching staff and Japan national coach Zico.
Nakata, who joined the Serie A outfit last September, has not played an international game since last March. A groin injury ruled the 28-year-old out of last year’s Asian Cup in China and, despite returning to full fitness, he has yet to convince Zico that he should be recalled.
The Brazilian – citing Nakata’s indifferent displays at club level – chose to exclude the former Bellmare Hiratsuka star from his squad for the 2-1 World Cup Qualifying win against DPR Korea on February 9.
With Japan’s next qualifier against Iran at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium less than a month away, Nakata’s current domestic plight is unlikely to propel him back into contention.
http://www.gazzetta.it/Foto%20Hermes/2004/09-Settembre/14/nakata--310x210.jpg
am I the only one who still has faith in Nakata? :worried: