Samurai to Red Warrior

PETALING JAYA: Former Japanese international Masashi Motoyama (pic) is coming out of retirement to play for Kelantan United in the Premier League.

The midfielder, who is playing outside his country for the first time, will not feel alone in a different environment.

Thanks to Kelantan United’s partnership with Yakult Malaysia, the club will also have the services of two other Japanese nationals – coach Akira Higashiyama and young defender Yuki Tanigawa.

Yakult Malaysia managing director Hiroshi Hamada said even though Motoyama is in his 40s, he believes the Kashima Antlers legend will leave a huge impact on the team next season.

“Motoyama is 41, but I’m confident and I believe he will contribute something special to this team and the local players next season, ” said Hamada.

“Tanigawa and Higashiyama showed their capabilities when they featured for Kuching City last season and I believe they can do the same with Kelantan.

“I see Kelantan United as a team that could go far and give a fierce competition to the others in 2021. Because of that, we chose to sponsor this team and establish strategic cooperation so that it can benefit not only them but the people of Kelantan, ” he added.

Motoyama is a revered figure in the Kashima set-up. He played 496 games and scored 63 goals for them from 1998 to 2015.

He helped them win six J-League titles (1998,2000,2001,2007,2008 and 2009), the Emperor’s Cup twice (2000 and 2007), the J-League Cup twice (2000 and 2002) and the Japanese Super Cup in 2009.

He left Kashima to join J-League two side Giravanz Kitakyushu where he played from 2016 to 2019 before retiring.

He amassed 28 caps for the national team and made his debut under Philippe Troussier in 2000.

The playmaker created quite a stir during the 1999 World Youth Championship where he helped Japan finished runners-up behind Spain. That performance earned him a spot in the tournament’s all-star first 11.