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Naoya Saeki has shown flashes of form in his first few seasons in the J.League, and several times we have received the impression that he might be on the verge of breaking through to become a regular starter. However, Saeki is one of those players who sometimes falls through the cracks because his skills do not fit well into a particular coach's plans. Saeki's youth football was played in the Verdy organization, though it was Jubilo Iwata who signed him as a graduate of Kokushikan University. At the time, Jubilo had midfielders galore, so Saeki was farmed out to Vissel Kobe to get some playing time. Coach Ryoichi Kawakatsu liked the youngster's mix of offensive and defensive skills, and gave him considerable playing time, resulting in what was arguably his career-best season in 2002. But the team's weak performance resulted in Kawakatsu's dismissal in 2003, and Saeki dropped out of sight. It took three years for him to work his way back into the lineup, and just as he was once again establishing himself as a regular, Vissel were relegated. Saeki moved to Omiya Ardija in 2006, but once again his skills did not match the coaching philosophy of the coach, Toshiya Miura, and he wasn't given a chance to play. However, good luck intervened when coach Kawakatsu took over at Avispa Fukuoka and immediately negotiated with Omiya to acquire Saeki on loan. Reunited with a coach who knew his strengths as well as his weaknesses, Saeki performed well for the Kyushu outfit and his thundering long-range shot in the final match of the season ensured Avispa a berth in the promotion/relegation playoff. Unfortunately, Avispa lost, Kawakatsu was fired, and Saeki was forced to return to Omiya. At this stage it remains to be seen whether Saeki can force his way into the team under the new coaching staff. In all likelihood he will have to settle for a place on the bench. However, Saeki has demonstrated that he can be a useful contributor, if used in a way that leverages his abilities -- in a linking role between offence and defence. We have to wait and see whether those abilities can fit into the team's plans this season. | |
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