For Shinji Ono, 1999 started with glory and ended in agony. In April, Ono captained Japan's under-20 team to a runnerup finish at the World Youth Championship in Nigeria and went on to boost Japan's Olympic campaign in summer.
But one tackle changed his season -- and that of his club, the Urawa Reds -- in a big way. On July 4, Ono was challenged from behind by a Philippine player during an Olympic qualifying match that was largely meaningless and which Japan was winning easily. The tackle brought Ono down and tore ligaments in his left knee.
"It's been the worst year I've ever had," Ono said. "I got injured when I was going through a great phase. My body was starting to do the things I wanted it to do for the first time in my pro career and I was having fun. But, looking back, I have to wonder if this sense of achievement led me to be less careful."