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#2 Masaaki Higashiguchi (Japan)
Masaaki is one of the most talented goalkeepers that Japan have ever produced. The Osaka-born came through the ranks of youth football before signing his first professional contract with Albirez Niigata. After spending five seasons there, he moved to his old club Gamba Osaka and has been playing there since.
In April last year, Masaaki met with a horrific clash with his teammate Genta Mirua. Both played went for the same ball and Mirua’s head hit Masaaki’s eye. Bloods were oozing out and Masaaki lost some of his teeth, putting his World Cup participation in jeopardy.
However, though he was selected for the World Cup, he didn’t play any matches. But after a change in the helm, which saw Hajime Moriyasu coming in place of Akira Nishino, fortune turned in favour of Masaaki. He played all matches after the World Cup and was an influential factor behind Japan’s win over Uruguay in a friendly.
Masaaki will be hoping to cement his place in the team with his performances in the Asian Cup.
