Perhaps with this technical emphasis in mind, a number of J-League sides like Kashiwa Reysol have been known for hosting a slew of Brazilian imports, in a fashion similar to Shaktar Donetsk in the Ukraine. Brazilian-born naturalised citizens Wagner Lopes, Ruy Ramos and Alessandro Santos even played for the National team. Would it be a lazy conclusion to say that a little Samba magic may have had a trickle down effect on the style of play in Japan? Not at all, according to Mabely:
“Migration between the two countries has a history dating back over a century. Nelson Yoshimura, a Brazilian-Japanese, was a star of the old corporate Japan Soccer League in the 1970s. The J. League has always had a three-foreigner rule (now extended to one extra place for Asian nationals only), and by far the most common imports have been Brazilians. There have been Brazilian coaches too – perhaps most notably Nelsinho Baptista, the current Kashiwa manager. So it is impossible to deny that there has been a certain degree of Brazilian influence.”
Finally, we couldn’t resist pressing Ben for some hot tips on which Japanese starlets he felt were likely make it to the big time over in the European leagues in coming seasons.
“The two names that stand out right now are Hiroshi Kiyotake and Hiroki Sakai. Kiyotake is an attacking midfielder who excelled this season for a Cerezo Osaka side struggling to cope with the twin challenge of Japanese and continental football for the first time, and also for Japan in his first appearances at full international level. Sakai, meanwhile, came into the season on the back of very little first team experience with Kashiwa but had a real breakthrough year – a genuinely exciting, marauding right-back. I do hope, though, that they both stick around in Japan for at least another year – there is always a danger that moving too soon could cause them to stagnate.”
With thanks to Ben Mabley. For more thoughts on the Japanese game, follow his Twitter (twitter.com/BenMabley) and his Football Japan linked blog, English Blood, Osakan Heart.
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