HAGL trials new recruit Yokohama FC to fill Tuan Anh's void

Yokohama FC midfielder Masaaki Ideguchi has arrived in Vietnam to play for Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) in the 2016 season with a 1-year contract.

Yokohama FC midfielder Masaaki Ideguchi has arrived in Vietnam to play for HAGL - Photo: Vietnam-Football.com.

Midfielder Masaaki Ideguchi, 27 years old, has been playing for Yokohama FC's first team since 2011 and has played 22 matches in J.League 2. Masaaki Ideguchi is 1m73 tall and plays as a midfielder, but can also play well as a center back. Last season, Ideguchi played in the Hong Kong Premier League on loan from Yokohama FC.

Ideguchi rose to prominence in the student soccer scene when he led Hannan University to the 2010 National Student Championship. He was also voted the most popular player, best captain, and was one of the most prominent names in the 2010 Kansei Gakusei Soccer League. These achievements helped Ideguchi catch the eye of Yokohama FC scouts.

Midfielder Masaaki Ideguchi can play well as a center back - Photo: Yokohama FC.

Head of HAGL delegation, Mr. Nguyen Tan Anh said: “In the near future, HAGL and Yokohama FC will be strategic partners. The two sides must have a commitment to each other, not just football, not just transferring one or two normal players but also having great significance at the club level and further on the two countries.

The Japanese are very trustworthy. They have to be very reputable to recommend you, it's not simple. Like Cong Phuong, Tuan Anh when they went to Japan for a 'trial' immediately felt different because of the discipline, method, and professionalism of Japanese football. I hope Masaaki Ideguchi will bring to HAGL the typical character of Japanese football.

I hope that the appearance of Masaaki Ideguchi, in addition to his professional contributions, will help change the lifestyle, training and competition style of Vietnamese players. Japanese players are very professional, methodical and not indulgent. This will help young players develop further.

In the future, HAGL will need to develop its players in Japan, specifically Yokohama FC. We want to find more developed football countries to improve our level."

While Masaaki Ideguchi has gathered at Ham Rong, ready to practice with HAGL as a replacement for Tuan Anh who will go to Japan, the midfielder from Thai Binh will also fly to Hanoi as soon as he returns to Vietnam to be in time for this afternoon's practice session with the U.23 Vietnam team.

After 1 week of getting acquainted with the new team Yokohama FC, Tuan Anh has made a good impression on the coach and the Board of Directors of the team playing in J.League 2.

It is expected that Yokohama FC and HAGL will have an official signing ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of December 11, including two contracts of Tuan Anh and Ideguchi and a commitment to become strategic partners.

According to Motthegioi