2019/21 Shinji Okazaki @ SD Huesca (ESP)

Moriyasu praised Okazaki in a recent interview. He praised his work-rate and his commitment to both offence and defence. Moriyasu also said that younger Japanese attacking players shall learn from Okazaki.

 

Okazaki renewed his contract today with Huesca for one more season.

His contract will end in June 2021.

https://www.sdhuesca.es/noticia/shinji-okazaki-renueva-con-la-sd-huesca-hasta-2021

 

He spent almost his entire career in the shadows of Kagawa and Honda, despite achieving more in Europe than Honda did, and being more consistent than Kagawa.

Now, his on-field contribution is far greater than the contributions of both Honda and Kagawa.

In case one of these three will be called-up as an OA player for the Olympic Games, I will pick Okazaki over Honda and Kagawa at anytime.

 

Okazaki named as Huesca's MVP of the season:

MVP 🏆 | Y el jugador de la temporada es...

🎉🎉🎉 Okazaki 🎉🎉🎉https://t.co/V1sTusKE4Z

— SD Huesca (@SDHuesca) July 31, 2020

 

Okazaki will have a face-off against Kubo in their first match of the 2020/2021 La Liga season, as Huesca will be hosted by Villarreal in 13/September.

 

If he manages to score in the Spanish top division he will be the first Japanese and Asian player to score in 3 of the top 4 leagues in Europe.

 

Okazaki is startimg today for Huesca.

His first Spanish La Liga's top division start.

He is the first Japanese and Asian to play in 3 of the top 4 leagues in Europe.

ALINEACIÓN 👥 | Con este XI inicial del #VillarrealHuesca que ha elegido Míchel, arrancamos la temporada 20/21 en #LaLigaSantander

Con vosotros hasta el fin del mundo 😍

¡¡¡#VAMOSHUESCA!!! 🔵🔴

👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/C3M8lWWw5G

— SD Huesca (@SDHuesca) September 13, 2020

 

Okazaki started the play which led to Huesca's 0-1 goal, as he moved back to the midfield to pick up a pass from the left-back, before passing it to Juan Carlos, who played a lovely 1-2 with Ferrero before passing the ball to Maffeo (the right-back) to score the opening goal.

Okazaki unzipped and disrupted Villarreal's defence by his move back to the midfield, as the defence scrambled while deciding whether to track him or to stay where they are, this confusion allowed space in Villarreal's defence, which allowed Huesca's right-back to push forward and sneak into the penalty box and score Huesca's opening goal.

Okazaki had 3 shots on goal, with 2 of them being diving headers.

Okazaki, unfortunately, obstruced a shot on goal from one of his teammates, which would have give Huesca a 0-2 lead.

Villarreal equalised from a penalty kick midway through the second half, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Impressive and promising start for both Okazaki and Huesca in their first La Liga match in an away fixture against a strong team like Villarreal.

 

Okazaki's highlights:

 

It will be funny if Muto scored before Okazki in the La Liga.

 

He came close to score today against Valencia, as his shot beaten the goalkeeper and hit the crossbar.

His team managed a 1-1 draw away against Valencia.

A decent start for Okazaki and the team so far, 2 away draws against Villarreal and Valencia, and an unfortunate loss against Cadiz, but what matters most is that the team managed to create more chances and hold more posession against both Valencia and Cadiz, and played almost equal to Villarreal.

It is about time for Okazaki to score and for Huesca to record their first La Liga win of the season.

If they keep play the way they are playing and try to build on it, I believe they will manage to escape relegation.

 

Okazaki was subbed out around the 39th minute after suffering from an injury against Elche.

Earliee he was fouled inside the penalty box but the referee did not count it or even consulted the VAR, the cleared ball was picked up by one of Huesca's players who was also fouled inside the penalty box and again no pk and no VAR.

 

Japanese players in Spain are playing well so far, and it is only a matter of time before they start to make an impact.

 

He is back on the bench in tonight's match:

👥 ALINEACIÓN | Ya tenemos el equipo que en una hora saltará de inicio en El Sadar.

¡Vuestra suerte es la nuestra! 🍀#OsasunaHuesca pic.twitter.com/wNtrO4ZmF1

— SD Huesca (@SDHuesca) November 20, 2020

 

Okazaki scored a wonderful loop goal from outside the penalty box, as he chipped the ball above the advancing Granada GK.

Huesca are leading now 2-3 few minutes before the final whistle.