Red card mars Okubo's award

On the same evening he was named 2003 AFC Young Player of the Year, 21-year-old Japanese striker Yoshito Okubo ruined his red-letter day by being red-carded after only 18 minutes of the match which decided the inaugural East Asian Football Championship in South Korea's favour.

Although his 10 teammates defied their numerical disadvantage in a goalless draw at the Yokohama Stadium, Okubo's dismissal ultimately hampered Japan's quest for the victory they needed to finish top of the four-team group. Japan coach Zico refused to blame Okubo, despite the fact he earned 14 yellow cards during the J.League season, twice being sent off and being suspended for six games during the 30-match domestic campaign.

'When I was young I had similar problems,' said the legendary Brazilian striker. 'I don't want to treat him badly because I don't want to kill his talent. Okubo is extremely gifted. He's a top-notch player. I trust him and I want to teach him because he can become one of the great players in the world.'

Okubo, who earned his award for the 16 goals he scored for a struggling Cerezo Osaka side in the J.League, showed the other aspect of his game, despite the stage being set for him to score his first international goal in his 14th match for Japan.

Instead the youngster quickly got into trouble for leaving his boot in as Kim Do-hoon cleared from his own area in the 15th minute. Three minutes later he was off, dismissed for a second yellow card after he went tumbling in the Korean penalty area.

Zico's counterpart, Portuguese coach Humberto Coelho, said: 'Winning the tournament will help us be more confident. I'm happy - happy for the players and for the FA. Lastly I'm happy for the work we've done. I'll take time to build the national team and we must continue working.'Tim Maitland