Yuya Osako: The man who sent Japan into record books

Yuya Osako's goal also meant it was first time an Asian side has beaten a South American side in the World Cup.

Published : Jun 19, 2018 21:15 IST

Japan's Yuya Osako celebrates his goal against Colombia.
Japan's Yuya Osako celebrates his goal against Colombia.
lightbox-info

Japan's Yuya Osako celebrates his goal against Colombia.

Japan's Yuya Osako went into the record books when he scored his first World Cuo goal to give his side an all-important win over Colombia. Reduced to 10 men, Colombian defence had no answer to his header in the 73rd minute.

Osako's goal also meant it was first time an Asian side has beaten a South American side in the World Cup.

Read: Sanchez red spoils Pekerman's plans

Osako started his career with Kashima Antlers in Japan in 2009. After playing for five seasons, he moved to 1860 Munich in the 2.Bundesliga in 2014. His only season for Munich saw the striker score 6 times in 15 appearances.

His exploits in Munich earned him a move to FC Köln in the German top tier.

He plied his trade for four seasons at Köln, until it was relegated from the Bundesliga this year. During his time in Koln, he scored 19 goals and made 18 assists.

COL vs JPN: match highlights

Following its relegation, Werder Bremen signed him for a fee believed to be around 6 million Euros.

Osako also becomes the first Japanese player to play for Bremen since Yasuhiko Okudera, who also moved to Bremen from Koln via Hertha Berlin SC.

Okudera was one of the first Japanese players to make an impact in Europe, whose presence at Bremen made it a hugely popular club in Japan in the early 1980s.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment