Quiet star Hasebe still profiting from Magath (Feature)

By Michael Rossmann Jun 28, 2010, 12:07 GMT

George, South Africa - The new hero in Japanese football is Keisuke Honda. But the silent star of Japan's Round of 16 side is Makoto Hasebe, who is not only the captain but the motor of Team Nippon.

Hasebe is anything but one of the poster boys of Takeshi Okada's team. Instead the 26-year-old Wolfsburg midfielder represents more the traditional Japanese traits of modesty and reservation.

'I am not that popular. Those are the attacking players,' says Hasebe, who hopes to guide Japan to a victory over Paraguay on Tuesday to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in World Cup history.

But the Fujieda, Shizouka Prefecture native is quick to praise his opponents from South America.

'They are well organised, which is similar to the way we play. They also are strong in one-on-one situations,' said Hasebe, who has earned 34 caps and scored one goal.

Hasebe may not possess the flamboyance of Honda, but that does not mean he lacks a healthy portion of self-confidence.

'I play more European now. I learned that in Germany,' said Hasebe, who has been at Wolfsburg for 18 months.

When supporting the attack, he comes over the right side or the centre. FIFA statistics show the Japanese attack more than twice as often from the right side as from the left.

That shows just how important Hasebe is to the Japanese game - even though the CSKA Moscow midfielder Honda has scored two goals and twice was named Man of the Match.

The captain is usually the reason why other players look good. He works so hard defensively yet supports the offense just as strongly.

Hasebe took a giant leap in his development since arriving at Wolfsburg from Urawa Red Diamonds in January 2008.

Despite playing in the shadows of the offensive trio of Grafite, Edin Dzeko and Zvjezdan Misimovic, Hasebe played a big role in Wolfsburg winning their first ever Bundesliga crown in 2009.

And he learned a lot from the championship-winning coach Felix Magath, who moved to Schalke before last season.

'He always said we have to win tackles if we want to win games,' Hasebe said of Magath.

Still Hasebe knows a team also needs the extraordinary players - like Honda. 'He is a strong player. He played well in the Champions League,' Hasebe said of his team-mate.

Now Honda and Hasebe hope to lead Japan to unchartered waters - both in their own way.