They fixed it eventually. Apart from Honda, Russia doesn't seem to be a favourable destination for Japanese players, hence, one can only receive such tranafer with cautions of its potential to be a successful one.
Just found out that Rostov hosted Japan's R16 match against Belgium. The weather there isn't extremely cold as it is in Moscow and Northern part of Russia, it is only from November to early March Rostov has an extremely cold weather and some snowy days. Rostov is a port city situated on the northeastern edge of the Black Sea.
Maybe they got Osako also? Kidding. Bad bad. But I think this move can be good. Hope we will see him in Europe.
Hashimoto is on the bench in Rostov's first league match of the 2020/2021 season: Наш состав на первый матч сезона 20/21 #ТамбовРостов 📝 pic.twitter.com/7Zo01B4Oa1— Football Club Rostov (@rostovfc) August 8, 2020
He came in as a second half sub in the 83rd minute, as his team won 0-1 away against Tambov. The full match is available on YouTube, you can watch it on the link below (Hashimoto's playing time starts @1:44:00) :
I just watched the 10 minutes he played in. He was confident with his moves, not affraid of challenging players in a new league percieved to be more physical than the J-League. In one play he picked up the ball and tried to hold it and then pass it forward, he was chalenged by two opposing players, yet he was able to keep the ball on his feet, and he was only dispossessed when a third opposing player interfered and took the ball out of Hashimoto's feet. He was totally not intimidated by them, which is a positive sign of his strong personality in a totally new environment. His off-the-ball movements were great, he moved either to create space for his teammates or relieve the pressure from them, and he also moved to cover some defensive gaps left by his teammates. One example is when Tambov launched an attacking thrust to equalise in the last few minutes of the match, and Rostov's defence was left unbalanced a little bit, only for Hashimoto to move and cover the position of the CB ahead of an opposing player, so in case the cross came from the wing Hashimoto will be there to clear it, but a Rostov player managed to block the cross attempt and Rostov won the match. Hashimoto played as a one of three central midfielder, and he played on the left-side, rather than the center from what I saw. Overall, a promising debut for Hashimoto in such a tough league.
Hashimoto is starting today. First start of the season after coming in as sub in the previous three matches. Наш состав на игру с Уфой 📝 pic.twitter.com/bkv78WEtbi— Football Club Rostov (@rostovfc) August 23, 2020
... and it was the lone and winning goal! Here is the goal: Первый гол Кенто Хашимото за «Ростов» и в РПЛ 🤩 pic.twitter.com/jH6xP36yfn— Football Club Rostov (@rostovfc) August 23, 2020
Man of the match 第4節のウファ戦で 橋本拳人が マン オブ ザ マッチに選ばれました!!! pic.twitter.com/QM2TMWggcZ— FC ロストフ | FC Rostov (@fcrostovjapan) August 23, 2020
It seems he is the quickest Japanese to adapt to the Russian premier league based on what I saw from him, even quicker than Honda. Hashimoto's physical readiness might be the reason behind this.
Scores the 1-0 winner for the 2nd match in a row! <ケント 2試合連続ゴール!半端ないって!!!> pic.twitter.com/rw1lRreiYs— FC ロストフ | FC Rostov (@fcrostovjapan) August 26, 2020
Hashimoto's Rostov will host Maccabi Haifa in the 3rd qualifying round of the Europa League next Thursday.
Hashimoto scored a brace today, as his team are leading 1-3 at half time away against Arsenal Tula. 4 goals for Hashimoto in in 7 matches, and he is his team's top scorer this season so far.
He is really making an immediate impact. 5 goals in 9 matches (5 starts). He is his team's top scorer, and he is among the Russian premier league's top 10 scorers. If he keeps performing this way, many clubs in the top 5 leagues will be after him
Jokes aside, I was thinking about this solution. I mean, Japan NT do not necessarily need a traditional striker, all they need is a tall, physical player, who can hold the ball in the penalty area, and help creating scoring opportunities. If he scores goals from time to time, then it is a bonus. I can remember that during his early years at FC Tokyo, Hashimoto was thrown upfront for this purpose in some occasions. Other J.League examples I can recall are: Yoo Sang-chul, and Kim Kun-hoan, both Yokohama F Marinos former players who were playing as makeshift centre forwards because of their abilities in hold-up play inside and near the penalty area.