Kuala Lumpur: Ahead of the start of the 2016 AFC Champions League Group Stage, we take a look at Gamba Osaka striker Takashi Usami.
KEY PLAYER: TAKASHI USAMI
AFC Champions League Record
Appearances: 23
Goals: 8
PROFILE
Having exploded onto to the continent’s consciousness as a precociously talented 17-year-old at the 2009 AFC Champions League, Gamba forward Takashi Usami at 23 has since added overseas experience and international caps to his development into one of the J.League’s most exciting stars.
After three years of seasoning in Germany at Bayern Munich and 1899 Hoffenheim, Usami has been in consistently stellar form since his return to Japan in 2013.
First firing Gamba to the J.League Division 2 title, Usami then helped the Osaka club to the domestic treble and then a successful defence of the Emperor’s Cup in consecutive seasons.
On the continent, too, Usami was in fine fettle with four goals to his name, as his side reached the AFC Champions League semi-finals last year only to lose out to eventual winners Guangzhou Evergrande.
IMPORTANCE TO TEAM
A fleet-footed and versatile forward, Usami has been used as an attacking midfielder, out wide, and as a secondary striker behind Brazilian frontman Patric.
Modelling himself on Bayern role models Frank Ribery and Arjen Robben, Usami is superb technically and, with an eye for a pass as well as shot on goal, is a true 21st century attacker.
ONES TO WATCH
An AFC Champions League winner in 2008 and 2009 AFC Player of the Year midfielder Yasuhito Endo and he has lost none of his guile, supplying ammunition for Usami and powerful striker Patric, while at the other end of the pitch Masaaki Higashiguchi was rated among the best goalkeepers of last year’s continental tournament.
Source: the-afc.com