Perryman's advice to Brazilian ace Alex
By Jeremy Walker
TOKYO (April 5)--Shimizu S-Pulse manager Steve Perryman believes his
Brazilian ace Alex has everything to gain by applying for Japanese citizenship.
But he also feels he has one important thing to lose: the chance of
playing for Brazil.
Alex, whose full name is Alessandro Dos Santos, says he is 70 per cent
certain he'll apply for Japanese citizenship in the hope of playing
for Japan at the 2002 World Cup.
But Perryman thinks his 22-year-old dreadlocked destroyer is good enough
to play for Brazil.
"If he's decided to apply for Japanese citizenship then I'm very pleased
for him. It would be fantastic," said Perryman.
" The links between Japan and Brazil are very strong, so they'll know
all about him in Brazil. His progress will not have gone unnoticed.
"He has everything to gain by applying for citizenship. The only thing
he has to lose is the possibility of playing for Brazil. It's such a
high honour not many Brazilian players achieve it, so he has to take
it into consideration."
Alex was recruited from the junior ranks of the Gremio club in Brazil
by Japanese high school Meitoku Gijuku six years ago and joined S-Pulse
for the start of the 1997 season.
Last year he was voted J.League Player of the Year, joining such distinguished
company as Brazilian World Cup-winners Jorginho (1996) and Carlos Dunga
(1997).
Alex says he has discussed the matter with his family and looks likely
to put the paperwork in motion next year, fulfilling the customary seven-year
residency requirement.
Perryman, who has worked closely with Alex for three years, adding a
defensive discipline to his natural attacking flair on the left flank,
says Alex is good enough to make the grade on the international stage.
"He's an exciting talent because he goes past people, creates goals
and scores goals, and he's quite happy to help out his defence," added
the Englishman.
"He's been good for Japan and Japan has been good for him in terms of
learning his trade. This is the perfect environment for young players
to develop because everything is provided by the club, and Alex is obviously
paying respect to the country that is bringing him on.
"I'm already excitied about the World Cup coming to Japan, and I'll
be even more excited if Alex is involved."
If Alex's application is approved, he would follow in the footsteps
of two other Brazilians who turned Japanese: Ruy Ramos and Wagner Lopes.
The latter played for Japan at the 1998 World Cup in France.
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