Gaku enters after 68 minutes with the score 1-1. Sets up a gilt-edged chance for an unmarked teammate with a great corner.
Actually started again in the 1-0 win against Real Sociedad. Subbed out at 69th minute though. Hope he did ok.
He was involved in the opening goal, making a nice run to latch onto a through ball and forcing a 1v1 save from the keeper, after which Molina lobbed in the rebound. Played on the left side and didn't have a lot of time on the ball but looked OK.
https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20181218-00000030-goal-socc Likely going to Germany Spain's first division has been terrible for Japanese players except for Inui's one good season.
Both means EL/UCL football. This is an unbelievable improvement. Feck off shitty La Liga idiots team.
You're right, but I'm sorry about that. Spanish football is culturally near to Japanese one. So it'd have been nice to see Japanese players exploding in Spain, but... - Okubo - Ienaga - Shibasaki Am I forgetting someone?
And don't forget Mike Havenaar Also on the list would be Kiyotake, and from way back, Jo Shoji and Nishizawa Akinori. ...and also Ibusuki Hiroshi, but only for one game.
One good season? 2017/18 was his best year at Eibar but the other 2 seasons were good times for him too.
Okubo wasn't bad in La Liga. He helped Mallorca stay at the top tier and was named in the La Liga rookie team of the season by UEFA. https://elpais.com/deportes/2005/06/02/actualidad/1117696919_850215.html After Okubo went back to Japan, he recieved an offer from La Liga (Almeria) again, which means he was OK in Spain. He chose Wolfsburg instead, though. Jo was a regular strater for most of his time with Valladolid. He was never prolific there but his boss Manzano kept starting him to use his post-play and defensive workrate. Valladolid were trying to buy his ownership rights but an injury in a pointless international friendly ended his adventure in Spain. Sayng La Liga has been terrible for Japanese players except for Inui is a bit exaggerated.
Late night drama! Shibasaki and Yuki Kobayashi to join Deportivo La Coruna, which is in the top 3 of Spanish second division.
Damn I sound so negative all the time but.. Well these news are not so good. He gonna start all over again? I wanted him to leave but..