2015/19 Gotoku Sakai | Tatsuya Ito @ Hamburger SV (GER)

Well, that was quite the failed experiment by Gisdol (who already has the worst start of any HSV manager). Gotoku's average position makes him seem like the only CMF, in general HSV was completely exposed in the midfield. (screenshot from bundesliga.de, Gotoku is the red 24)

 

That is because Jung was moved from CM to CB when Cléber came off, right? Hence the halfway positioning of #28.

 

That's correct. Doesn't excuse the lack of other players in MF, but that has a very long history at HSV.

 

I saw the issues differently on this occasion and thought the HSV midfield did at least a nominal job in inhibiting Rode and Castro from creating in the center (not hard, tbh), but the brainfarts in defense ended the match before it really began.

 

Well, the issue for HSV for ages (with half a dozen different managers now) has been that there's not permanent connection between their offense and defense, so the former seldom gives relief to the latter through longer spells of possession. Left alone and under constant pressure every defense is bound to crack. Putting Jung and Gotoku in MF may have added defensive stability, it certainly didn't solve the long running issue of the disconnected team segments (until the opponent is content to sit back).

 

HSV manager Markus Gisdol confirmed Gotoku Sakai as the club's new captain, stripping Johan Djourou of his armband.

— Daniel Busch (@dan_bu) November 17, 2016

nice

 

Is that a first for a Japanese player at a first tier European league team? As in, to be a full-time designated team captain rather than a back-up/alternate (a la Nagatomo)?

 

Honda@VVV, Kawashima@Lierse

 

Gotoku keeps playing in midfield, did the whole match at the 2-2 in Hoffenheim which keeps HSV stuck on last place, though the point was hard earned. Good fighting spirit by the team in general, and Gotoku covered the second most distance of any player behind Holtby.

 

Long time no post, so what did we miss: Kapitän Gotoku keeps playing in that new position, keeps collecting miles behind Holtby, and HSV somehow is starting to collect points for a change, 2-2 against Werder, 0-2 win in Darmstadt, and today an 1-0 win against Augsburg. Sitting on the relegation playoff rank now.

Some additional stuff about him being captain, he's the youngest ever for HSV, and when explaining why he chose him coach Gisdol was gushing like a waterfall

 

"Gotoku is no loudmouth, but when he speaks everyone listens." Wow

 

Things looking better now!

 

He can be Hasebe's sucessor in the 2018 WC.

 

Why not.
First time in a while Japan don't have a player that scores in B1 so we have to enjoy these quiet players. I don't mind it so much.

 

First time since match day 8 that Kapitän Sakai played as RB, longest distance (nearly 12km), HSV won 2-1 against Schalke and ends the year with 13 points (their direct rivals still play tomorrow).

 

Gotoku scores a golazo from distance after HSV falls behind to Ingolstadt 3-0.

 

Nice!! Good japanese evening

 

What a goal!!

 

Was sitting out a yellow cards penalty on weekend. Played the whole match in the 2:0 win against Köln in DFB cup today, as usual as captain and RB.

 

Decent performance by Gotoku and the team. Looks likely that he will stay at RB for the rest of the season, given that Jung has been steady as a #6 and that HSV signed Brazil international Walace, who made his debut against Köln.

 

Played the whole match in a big 3:0 win at Leipzig, as usual as captain and RB.

 

Many matches left but I have a feeling they will manage to stay in B1.

 

Assist!

 

Terrific assist, he threaded the needle in just the right spot.

Sakai: "Ich bin stolz auf diese Mannschaft. Jeder hat sich reingehauen. Der Punkt ist sehr wichtig."

— BILD Hamburger SV (@BILD_HSV) February 18, 2017

Gotoku: "I'm proud of this team. Everyone really dug in. We earned a very important point."