SOCCER: Costa Rica's 'Cobra' Poised to Strike For F.C. Tokyo
By Andrew Mitchell, Asahi.com

For decades coffee was the biggest Costa Rican export to Japan. Costa Rica's most famous sportsman arrived in Tokyo with his well-worn passport late last month to ink a one-year deal with J.League outfit F.C. Tokyo.

The question everyone now wants to know is how long Wanchope, nicknamed "The Cobra," intends to stay on the archipelago.

Japan is the 30-year-old's fifth port of call following stints in England, Spain, Qatar and Argentina, where he played for Rosario Central before quitting the club due to what he described as "payment problems."

It's been reported that Wanchope hopes to use the upcoming season with F.C. Tokyo--his ninth club since turning pro as an 18-year-old in 1994--as a springboard back to Europe, preferably England.

While he wasn't willing to admit to as much after training earlier this week, Wanchope did not hide the fact that his heart remained in England.

"To be honest, yes, I do miss playing in England," he said. "The seven, eight years I played over there were great years for me. I still get nostalgic when I watch games from England. I did enjoy my time there."

At the same time, Wanchope admitted it wouldn't be easy to return to Europe after so many years out of the spotlight.

"It is very difficult to go back to Europe. My last year in Spain was about three years ago," he said. "But you never know, I may wind up back in England. It may seem like I have been playing forever, but I can still play in the premier league."

For the time being, Wanchope says his focus is entirely on F.C. Tokyo.

A veteran of two World Cups and his country's all-time leading scorer with 45 goals in 72 matches, Wanchope is expected to provide his new club with both firepower and leadership this season.

"As an experienced player, my role is to help the others develop," Wanchope said. "They brought me over here to score some goals and try to win the championship."

Asked if he'd be able to reproduce his exceptional strike-rate in the J.League, Wanchope said it was still too early to tell.

"I can't tell you how many goals I will score because I've never seen the league so I don't know the standard of the game or the opponents," he said. "I don't even know who will be my (strike) partner or even what style of play the manager will use."

One thing is certain: F.C. Tokyo is stronger in 2007 than it was in 2006, when the team finished 29 points out of first in 13th place and won only a single game in the Nabisco Cup and Emperor's Cup tournaments combined.

In addition to acquiring Wanchope in the offseason, F.C. Tokyo brought in towering central defender Evaldo from Brazil's Gremio and Japan national team midfielder Takashi Fukunishi from Jubilo Iwata.

All of a sudden there's talk of trophies in the F.C. Tokyo camp.

"I spoke to (Brazilian forward) Lucas and he told me we have a good chance to win the championship because we got (Fukunishi)," Wanchope said. "They tell me he is a good player and a captain of his former club, and he played in two World Cups. The team is better than it was last year."

If F.C. Tokyo is to be successful this season, Wanchope will need to deliver, and deliver often.

Any thought of returning to Europe will be all the motivation he needs to terrorize opposition goalkeepers and make a name for himself again. It's a huge challenge, but one the globetrotting Wanchope eagerly awaits.

"I am happy with my life like this," Wanchope said. "For me, it is good to have new challenges. I still have the desire."