Gotoku Sakai, now at Hamburger SV

Discussion in 'Yanks Abroad' started by TheJester525, Feb 7, 2010.

  1. TheJester525

    TheJester525 Member

    Nov 28, 2008
    Bay Area
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotoku_Sakai

    NY born, plays in J-league. Young defender. No idea if he'd want to play for the US though. He's been called into Japanese camps before, but still doesn't have a cap.

    If anyone knows anything more please post!
     
  2. Sandon Mibut

    Sandon Mibut Member+

    Feb 13, 2001
    Re: Gotoku Sakai Cappable?

    Does he play left back?

    EDIT: This says he's a righty. Doesn't mean he can't ever play for the US but we have depth at RB so it's not as pressing.

    http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/spieler/103310/gotoku-sakai/profil.html
     
  3. USvsIRELAND

    USvsIRELAND Member+

    Jul 19, 2004
    ATL
    Re: Gotoku Sakai Cappable?

    He's a 1991 so he's eligible for the 2011 U20's.
     
  4. wcssstar33

    wcssstar33 Member

    Aug 28, 2008
    Milwaukee
    Club:
    Newcastle United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Gotoku Sakai Cappable?

    another new frontier!
     
  5. m vann

    m vann Moderator
    Staff Member

    Colorado Rapids, Celtic FC, & Louisville City
    Sep 10, 2002
    Denver, CO
    Club:
    Celtic FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Gotoku Sakai Cappable?

    Interesting find. I'd like to know a little bit more about him. I wonder what kind of prospect he is ------ if he's any good. The J-League is a respectable league. If not for the few foreign spots available (usually occupied by Brazilians) I'd love to see a Yank or two there. We already have Marques Davidson, a Japanese-American, currently playing for Albirex Niigata.



    EDIT

    helps to look. I didn't even realize he's at the same club, Albirez, as Davidson! :) ;)
     
  6. USvsIRELAND

    USvsIRELAND Member+

    Jul 19, 2004
    ATL
    Re: Gotoku Sakai Cappable?

    Apparently Davidson is a free agent.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jun_Marques_Davidson
     
  7. #1 Feilhaber and Adu

    Aug 1, 2007
    Re: Gotoku Sakai Cappable?

    So what is being a regular on an 8th place J-League team at 18 equal too? Being an 18-year old regular on some team in MLS?
     
  8. Grumpy in LA

    Grumpy in LA Bringing It Since 1807™

    Sep 10, 2007
    Chicago
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Gotoku Sakai Cappable?

    Probably closer to being a regular on a middling MFL team. But that's just a semi-educated guess.
     
  9. TheJester525

    TheJester525 Member

    Nov 28, 2008
    Bay Area
    Re: Gotoku Sakai Cappable?

    I've never seen the guy play, just ran into his profile by accident on wikipedia.

    I've watched some J-league tho, and it's a very technical very attacking league. I think a J-league defender would be a good pairing with a more physical epl or mls defender. Of course, that's a gross generalization, but assuming this kid is good he could probably offer something for the usmnt.
     
  10. AmericanKaka

    AmericanKaka Member+

    Dec 30, 2006
    Re: Gotoku Sakai Cappable?

    Japan does not to allow dual-citizenship for adults and the US cooperates with this policy (ie they share information so Japanese authorities can enforce it; very very few people are able to elude this). When he turns 20 he will have to give up one passport. It doesn't sound like it will be his Japanese one.

    http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7118b.html
     
  11. CenterLine

    CenterLine Member

    Jan 17, 2009
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Gotoku Sakai Cappable?

    Yeah, I have a couple half-Japanese friends, I believe they also choose what Surname to use if their parents were separated before they turn 18.
     
  12. Testudo

    Testudo Member+

    Jan 29, 1999
    Arlington, VA
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  13. Balerion

    Balerion Member+

    Aug 5, 2006
    Roslindale, MA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Gotoku Sakai Cappable?

    FYI: Sakai played for Japan U-19 last November in the qualifiers for the 2010 AFC U-19 Championship. Those are official matches (in Asia and Europe, these are the same as our U-20s -- their focus is on their 2010 continental championships when the age cohort is still 19), so Sakai is provisionally cap-tied to Japan.
     
  14. Testudo

    Testudo Member+

    Jan 29, 1999
    Arlington, VA
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  15. dark knight

    dark knight Super Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 15, 1999
    Club:
    Leicester City FC
    Re: Gotoku Sakai Cappable?

    I changed the thread title for those that want to follow his club career. If you'd like to discuss his US eligibility/potential, please discuss in USA Men - or we can move this thread over and start fresh on club activity.
     
  16. SamuraiBlue2002

    SamuraiBlue2002 Member+

    Dec 20, 2008
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    Japan
    He played for Japan's U-19 in the U-19 AFC Championship match against UAE.

    Played left midfield.
     
  17. Testudo

    Testudo Member+

    Jan 29, 1999
    Arlington, VA
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  18. genom

    genom Member

    May 27, 2006
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIOJ4wFe8_Y"]YouTube - 100828 J?????????????????gotoku sakai Kisho Yano albirex[/ame]

    Very long video on him. Looks like an interesting player. Also seems like he is played at primarily left back. Almost all the highlites are of him getting forward.
     
  19. SamuraiBlue2002

    SamuraiBlue2002 Member+

    Dec 20, 2008
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    Japan
    He is an extremely versatile player.

    For the Japan U-19 team he played left wing, but when he played for the U-16's he was a striker.

    He also was a goalkeeper at one point.
     
  20. TheBrand

    TheBrand Member

    Oct 7, 2006
    Atlanta
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I know these are highlights, but you know it when you see it and this dude looks like he has it. I really wish I had known he was playing vs Kashima cause I was watching that game. Definitely gonna check out the next one.
     
  21. Altidore_Adu_Fan

    Sep 30, 2007
    Hammond In
    I Wish we could see the J-league here in america seems like an exciting league
     
  22. Donofan_10

    Donofan_10 Red Card

    Aug 20, 2009
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    ya Japan are really building their country's soccer system very well. Wish we had those guys in charge of American soccer.
     
  23. SamuraiBlue2002

    SamuraiBlue2002 Member+

    Dec 20, 2008
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    Japan
    Sakai's brother was promoted to the top team.

    His name is Noriyoshi he's 17 and a FW

    He hasn't played for any of Japan's youth sides yet.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  24. Testudo

    Testudo Member+

    Jan 29, 1999
    Arlington, VA
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Interesting. Wonder if he was also born in NYC. If so, you've just discovered another YA. And a promising one, too--on the 1st team of a J-League side at age 17.
     
  25. SamuraiBlue2002

    SamuraiBlue2002 Member+

    Dec 20, 2008
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    Japan
    He was born in Japan, but was born right after Sakai's family moved to Japan, so he might have dual citizenship.
     

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