NH Phantoms sign Japanese Player from Shimizu S-Pulse

futbol2ot · May 30, 2003

Tanikawa hopes to be
big-name in U.S. soccer By Ian M. Clark, The
Union Leader

The New Hampshire Phantoms added Tsuyoshi Tanikawa to their roster last week, and he paid immediate dividends, scoring one goal and assisting on another in the Phantoms’ 4-0 rout of Reading Saturday.
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“He’s a very famous player in Japan,” said Phantoms coach Jim DeDeus. “He’s a special player.”

Also like Ichiro and Godzilla, Tanikawa has played at the highest level in Japan.

Signed as a pro at age 17, Tanikawa is now 23 and comes to the Phantoms with three seasons of experience with the Shimizu S-Pulse in the J-League, Japan’s premier soccer league.

“The first two years in the J-League were good. A lot of chances to play and to score goals. That was good,” Tanikawa said. “The third year, the coach changed, and I had less opportunities.”
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drew_VT_6 · Jun 2, 2003

How does he hope to become a big name in US Soccer by playing for the Phantoms?

Knave · Jun 2, 2003

Originally posted by drew_VT_6
How does he hope to become a big name in US Soccer by playing for the Phantoms?
Click to expand...

Read the article and all is answered.