Budweiser Man of the Match: Hidetoshi NAKATA (JPN)

18 June 2006

Hidetoshi Nakata was the key man in a Japan team that created chances but could not score in their 0-0 draw with Croatia. His attacking leadership and hard work earned him the title of Budweiser Man of the Match.

“I thought that Hidetoshi Nakata had an extremely influential game for Japan,” said FIFA Technical Study Group member Jim Selby. "He was the link between defence and attack and controlled play superbly. He tired a little bit towards the end, but that was only natural given the game it was and the way Japan played.

“I have to say that it was a close decision between Nakata and Akira Kaji, the right-back, who I thought played extremely well. He ran up and down the flank to great effect, came inside when he had to and showed tremendous commitment throughout the 90 minutes.”

Nakata, however, was the one running the show for Japan. “It was Nakata in the engine room who orchestrated Japan’s best moves and also directed the players around him. So, for his contribution both on and off the ball, I feel that he deserves the Budweiser Man of the Match Award.”