Yoichiro Kakitani is one of the J-League's many bright young stars.
From Kakitani to Kushibiki, the J-League's young stars of 2013
Yoichiro Kakitani is one of the J-League's many bright young stars.
By Cesare Polenghi & Dan Orlowitz0
Dec 20, 2013 5:30:00 PM
As the 2013 comes to an end, Goal celebrates seven Under-23 Japanese players who added extra flavor to this exciting season with their skills and potential
AMF Yoichiro Kakitani, Cerezo Osaka (23)
By far Japan’s most popular young player in 2013, Kakitani capped off a great season by becoming a de facto starting member of the Samurai Blue. After an impressive 2012, the Osaka native kept improving, earning critical approval and winning a spot in the league’s Best XI as well as the Goal of the Year and Fair Play awards.
A modern and dynamic forward, Kakitani can easily control the ball with both feet while unleashing precise and powerful drives. His 21 goals for the season have not failed to impress scouts from Europe, and Kakitani is considered by many to be the next to join the legion of Japanese players in Germany’s Bundesliga.
AMF Manabu Saito, Yokohama F. Marinos (23)
Although this mercurial winger is yet to find the consistency of a real champion, his contribution to Yokohama F. Marinos’ season was crucial. Saito has been a thorn in the side of most J.League defenses, netting memorable goals such as one against Omiya Ardija when he dribbled through four players before slotting the ball home. Alberto Zaccheroni took note, and has since August regularly called him up for Japan.
DMF Hotaru Yamaguchi, Cerezo Osaka (23)
The heart of Cerezo Osaka and lately of the national team as well, Yamaguchi has kept growing throughout the season to become one of the most consistent performers in the J-League. Equally capable of snatching the ball from the opposition as well as distributing it to his team-mates, his natural partnership with Kakitani has once again propelled Cerezo to the top side of the table.
FW Yuya Osako, Kashima Antlers (23)
While his Kashima Antlers team suffered a disappointing season that produced no major titles for the first time in seven years, Yuya Osako has continued with his progress and positioned himself as one of the most reliable attacking players in J.League. His 19-goal tally for the season was enough to convince Zaccheroni to give him a chance with the senior national team, a chance that the Kagoshima native used to impress against Holland in November.
With Japan down 0-2 on the verge of half-time, Osako scored one goal and delivered an assist in helping the Samurai Blue to obtain a precious draw. Osako seems perfect for Zac's Japan playing style: he’s not intimidated by strong defenders and is as comfortable as a supporting striker as he is leading the formation from the top.
FW Takumi Minamino, Cerezo Osaka (18)
With five goals and a Rookie of the Year award to his name, Minamino is considered by many to be the biggest revelation of the J-League’s 2013 season. His most impressive feat, though, came as he drove an unsaveable ball into the back of Manchester United’s goal in a summer friendly played in Osaka’s Nagai Stadium. Quick and intuitive, Minamino is also a bright young man who understand that there’s much work ahead if he is to join the list of Cerezo players who have become stars.
FW Masato Kudo, Kashiwa Reysol (23)
The heart of Cerezo Osaka and lately of the national team as well, Yamaguchi has kept growing throughout the season to become one of the most consistent performers in the J-League. Equally capable of snatching the ball from the opposition as well as distributing it to his team-mates, his natural partnership with Kakitani has once again propelled Cerezo to the top side of the table.
GK Masatoshi Kushibiki, Shimizu S-Pulse (20)
Although he’s still very young, Kushibiki has already shown some incredible qualities in his 20 appearances in 2013. His reaction time has surprised not only observers, but also many J.League strikers who on many occasions saw their shots incredibly parried by the 20 year old’s cat-like movements. While Kushibiki still needs to improve, he was surely the most impressive young goalkeeper of the season. If he is given the chance to play regularly, he will surely bloom into a prospect for the national team.
U-23の有望なJリーガーを紹介するGOAL.comのCesare PolenghiとDan Orlowitzである。
当然のことながら大迫もその7人に含まれておる。
ザッケローニ監督が率いる日本代表に最適なストライカーと評されておる。
強いDFに当たり負けせぬ強さを持つ大迫のフィジカルは、世界と対峙する際にはより発揮されるであろう。
そして、強さだけでなく、巧さと速さを併せ持つ万能型センターFWであることも見逃せぬ。
大迫の活躍で日本代表が勝利を掴むことを楽しみにしておる。
しかしながら、その為には鹿島での躍動が必須である。
来季もまた大迫と共に勝利を積み重ねたい。
期待しておる。
From Kakitani to Kushibiki, the J-League's young stars of 2013
Yoichiro Kakitani is one of the J-League's many bright young stars.
By Cesare Polenghi & Dan Orlowitz0
Dec 20, 2013 5:30:00 PM
As the 2013 comes to an end, Goal celebrates seven Under-23 Japanese players who added extra flavor to this exciting season with their skills and potential
AMF Yoichiro Kakitani, Cerezo Osaka (23)
By far Japan’s most popular young player in 2013, Kakitani capped off a great season by becoming a de facto starting member of the Samurai Blue. After an impressive 2012, the Osaka native kept improving, earning critical approval and winning a spot in the league’s Best XI as well as the Goal of the Year and Fair Play awards.
A modern and dynamic forward, Kakitani can easily control the ball with both feet while unleashing precise and powerful drives. His 21 goals for the season have not failed to impress scouts from Europe, and Kakitani is considered by many to be the next to join the legion of Japanese players in Germany’s Bundesliga.
AMF Manabu Saito, Yokohama F. Marinos (23)
Although this mercurial winger is yet to find the consistency of a real champion, his contribution to Yokohama F. Marinos’ season was crucial. Saito has been a thorn in the side of most J.League defenses, netting memorable goals such as one against Omiya Ardija when he dribbled through four players before slotting the ball home. Alberto Zaccheroni took note, and has since August regularly called him up for Japan.
DMF Hotaru Yamaguchi, Cerezo Osaka (23)
The heart of Cerezo Osaka and lately of the national team as well, Yamaguchi has kept growing throughout the season to become one of the most consistent performers in the J-League. Equally capable of snatching the ball from the opposition as well as distributing it to his team-mates, his natural partnership with Kakitani has once again propelled Cerezo to the top side of the table.
FW Yuya Osako, Kashima Antlers (23)
While his Kashima Antlers team suffered a disappointing season that produced no major titles for the first time in seven years, Yuya Osako has continued with his progress and positioned himself as one of the most reliable attacking players in J.League. His 19-goal tally for the season was enough to convince Zaccheroni to give him a chance with the senior national team, a chance that the Kagoshima native used to impress against Holland in November.
With Japan down 0-2 on the verge of half-time, Osako scored one goal and delivered an assist in helping the Samurai Blue to obtain a precious draw. Osako seems perfect for Zac's Japan playing style: he’s not intimidated by strong defenders and is as comfortable as a supporting striker as he is leading the formation from the top.
FW Takumi Minamino, Cerezo Osaka (18)
With five goals and a Rookie of the Year award to his name, Minamino is considered by many to be the biggest revelation of the J-League’s 2013 season. His most impressive feat, though, came as he drove an unsaveable ball into the back of Manchester United’s goal in a summer friendly played in Osaka’s Nagai Stadium. Quick and intuitive, Minamino is also a bright young man who understand that there’s much work ahead if he is to join the list of Cerezo players who have become stars.
FW Masato Kudo, Kashiwa Reysol (23)
The heart of Cerezo Osaka and lately of the national team as well, Yamaguchi has kept growing throughout the season to become one of the most consistent performers in the J-League. Equally capable of snatching the ball from the opposition as well as distributing it to his team-mates, his natural partnership with Kakitani has once again propelled Cerezo to the top side of the table.
GK Masatoshi Kushibiki, Shimizu S-Pulse (20)
Although he’s still very young, Kushibiki has already shown some incredible qualities in his 20 appearances in 2013. His reaction time has surprised not only observers, but also many J.League strikers who on many occasions saw their shots incredibly parried by the 20 year old’s cat-like movements. While Kushibiki still needs to improve, he was surely the most impressive young goalkeeper of the season. If he is given the chance to play regularly, he will surely bloom into a prospect for the national team.
U-23の有望なJリーガーを紹介するGOAL.comのCesare PolenghiとDan Orlowitzである。
当然のことながら大迫もその7人に含まれておる。
ザッケローニ監督が率いる日本代表に最適なストライカーと評されておる。
強いDFに当たり負けせぬ強さを持つ大迫のフィジカルは、世界と対峙する際にはより発揮されるであろう。
そして、強さだけでなく、巧さと速さを併せ持つ万能型センターFWであることも見逃せぬ。
大迫の活躍で日本代表が勝利を掴むことを楽しみにしておる。
しかしながら、その為には鹿島での躍動が必須である。
来季もまた大迫と共に勝利を積み重ねたい。
期待しておる。
