Oh yes ... Shinji gives the Wanderers, Popovic and Oz the big tick. Source: Philip Hillyard / News Limited
When Shinji Ono declares himself fit, he's talking about one game but he could be talking about his career resurgence
The fact Ono will be ready to face Brisbane on Friday night is a huge moment in Western Sydney's plans to reach the grand final. But his decision to move to the A-League and join this crazy adventure has equally proven to be a seminal moment in his own career.
Stagnating in the J-League at Shimizu S-Pulse, and rarely completing more than an hour in every game, Ono has been managed so well that 90 minutes has largely been the norm this season.
The reason? A man called Popovic, and a squad of players who drive him on every day "a good spiral" as he calls it that has already delivered the Premier's Plate and is now one game from that grand final.
"When I came here our head coach told me, I want to win the championship," Ono said. "He's the one, the best. He's very honest. He will tell me (to my face), if I have played well. "That's why we trust him all the time and the players want to play for him.
Watch the Wanderers host the Roar for a place in the A-League grand final, LIVE at 7.30pm (EST) on Friday on Fox Sports 1 HD.
"Every day at training I try to push myself, and also the head coach has helped me to look after my body. This team, a brand new team, they are winners and they all have a good attitude to training.
"It creates a good spiral if you know what I mean. It makes me want to do more. The young players, if they look at me train hard, they will want to do the same. Training is always serious, always hard."
The club, of course, is focused on nothing more than Friday's semi-final but there's an attraction on the horizon that Ono is captivated by. Securing the Premier's Plate means the Wanderers are guaranteed a place in the Asian Champions League next year, and Ono is anxious for the draw to throw up some familiar opposition.
Admitting he knew little of Australia before signing he wants to showcase the A-League back home, and promote some cultural understanding.
"The level (of the A-League) is very high, we have the chance to play against other countries in the ACL, and I am very excited," he said. "I want to show something special, I want to achieve more. I hope we play any Japanese club, there would be no pressure it would just be a good experience for me and my teammates.
"This is not my home country, but if we win the championship then maybe some more Australian people will start to know about me and the Japanese people.
"It is very important to me.
"I want to be an ambassador for Japan.
"I love this club, I love this country and the supporters.
"The football culture here is not so old, which is why people want to learn. They want to learn more, from other players for example from Del Piero, from Heskey. Maybe some people want to learn from me."
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