Japan striker Takayuki Suzuki sent national team coach Zico a World Cup message with a double strike as Red Star Belgrade thrashed Radnicki Nis 5-0 in the semifinals of the Serbia-Montenegro Cup on Tuesday.
Red Star Belgrade striker Takayuki Suzuki controlls the ball during a
Serbia-Montenegro Cup semifinal match against Radnicki Nis.
Suzuki, who joined league leaders Red Star on a two-year contract from J. League club Kashima Antlers in January, opened the scoring with a 15-meter drive in the 26th minute and stormed through Radnicki's hapless defense to seal victory 10 minutes from time.
"I'm absolutely delighted," said Suzuki, whose performance earned him the man of the match award.
Suzuki scored in Japan's opening game against Belgium in the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea and is fighting for a place in the 2006 World Cup squad Zico will name on May 15.
