"Frustrating now and again"

Even if his country’s friendliness characteristic hasn’t left him, Hiroki Sakai isn’t always happy. No surprise considering the 23-year-old Japanese defender belongs to those 96-players that have missed out on parts of preseason. “Yeah, it is frustrating now and again,” revealed Sakai. “I have to be patient though.” Since the friendly against Celle, the right back has been hampered with a muscle tear, an injury that is keeping him from joining team training. Even in Stegersbach, Sakai has to watch team training from afar as he works on his own individual training system under the instruction of the fitness coaches.

Brakes on for Cherundolo

The injury to Sakai is twice as bitter considering the development the Japanese defender – signed last summer – had made towards the end of last season. He played all of the last four games of the season and was showing real signs of being ready for a starting spot. The chance to gain an edge over right-back Steven Cherundolo is not possible at the moment either. The 96-captain is another player on the injury list and has missed a large chunk of preseason after his knee surgery at the end of June. Sakai would have been in a good position to start come the beginning of the season had it not been for his muscle injury.

Patience is worth it: Hiroki Sakai, alongside Leon Andreasen (left) and Karim Haggui (middle). The other two have since returned to team training

"The most important thing is that I keep on developing"

A new competitor could be thrown into the mix if 96 sporting director Dirk Dufner seeks out another right back due to the injury crisis at the club. “I don’t think it’s really relevant for me,” said Sakai, who can also be used on the right side of midfield. “The most important thing is that I keep on developing. I want to be a better player.” And this development seems far from over. The progress, both tactically and technically, made towards the end of last year was apparent. His language is expected to take the same steps. With the help of his new translator and personal advisor Keita Tsuda (his predecessor Motoki Kawahara has since become a goalkeeping coach in Japan’s second division), Sakai is working towards overcoming those language barriers on a daily basis. “My task is to learn the language but German isn’t easy,” said a knowing Sakai. Communication on the football pitch is no problem in English or using basic, German football vocabulary.

World Cup excitement

Hiroki Sakai has also reached a big, personal goal: After Japan’s 1-0 away win in Iraq at the beginning of June, the 23-year-old, whose footballing role model is Dortmund’s Lukasz Piszczek, was the first Hannover player to qualify for the World Cup. Sakai hopes to be back in action as soon as possible so as to make a success of his next challenge: Battle for a starting spot at Hannover 96.

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