Hiroki Sakai
2 Defender
Biography
Hiroki Sakai signed his first professional contract with Kashiwa Reysol in Japan. His first start for the club was in 2010, where he set up one of the goals in a 2-2 draw against JEF United Chiba. Sakai moved to Germany to play for Hannover 96 in 2012, playing 92 games for the club and scoring twice from his fullback position.
Sakai went on to play for Marseille in France’s Ligue 1 in 2016. He set up a goal on debut, helping to secure a 4-0 win. Sakai played 145 games for Marseille, before moving back to Japan to play for the Urawa Red Diamonds in 2021. Sakai captained the side to victory in the 2022 AFC Champions League final, defeating Al Hilal 2-1 on aggregate.
Sakai was announced as Auckland FC’s captain for the club’s inaugural season in 2024, leading the side to become Premiers. On his Auckland FC debut, Sakai forced an own goal to help the side to a 2-0 win against Brisbane Roar.
Sakai made his senior international debut for Japan in a 2-0 win against Azerbaijan in 2012. He travelled to three FIFA World Cups in 2014, 2018, and 2022. He made his World Cup debut in 2018 during a 2-1 group stage win over Colombia.
Height
185Weight
78Age
35Born
Kashiwa14
Games Played
881
Time Played
11
Starts
6
Substitute Off
63
Total Clearances
2
Blocks
13
Interceptions
Tackles
55.2%
Success Rate
Duels
60.3%
Success Rate
Areial Dual
60.5%
Success Rate
Passes
75.5%
Success Rate
425
Total passes
321
Successful passes
30
Passes per 90 mins
Long passes
40%
Success Rate
46.6%
Forward
34.8%
Left
6.1%
Right
12.5%
Backward
41.6%
Opp half
35.5%
Own half
3
Topic
7
Succ. crosses
2
Assists
12
Key Passes
Total Shots
4
Shots on target
-
Goals scored
-
-
Conversion rate
-
Min per goals
-
Left foot goals
-
Right foot goals
-
Headed goals
-
Other
-
Goal inside the box
-
Goal outside the box
0
Direct free kick goals
13
Fouls won
11
Foul conceded
1
Yellow cards
-
Red cards
