DF Yusei Sugawara (left) and MF Naoki Maeda (right), who became “Former Grampus Derby” [写真]＝Getty Images
AZ’s Japan representative DF Yusei Sugawara updated his official Instagram after the Eredivisie Round 9 Utrecht match on the 9th and wrote about his feelings.
Leaders AZ, with 20 points at the end of Round 8 of the Eredivisie, faced Utrecht in Round 9 on the 9th. In the 31st minute, AZ, who entered the enemy territory, scored the opening goal from forward Myron van Brederode, and in the 68th minute, DF Yusei Sugawara scored an additional goal. One point was returned just before the end of the game, but the game ended 2-1. AZ has been undefeated for 9 games since the start of the league match, and has won 6 consecutive official matches.
Sugawara, who is in his fourth season with AZ, came from the training organization of Nagoya Grampus and made his debut with the top team in February 2018 while still in high school. The player, who joined AZ in June 2019, has played an active part in a total of 121 club official matches so far, and has grown into a key player in the team.
In the midst of this, they played against Utrecht, to whom MF Naoki Maeda, who once played for Nagoya Grampus, belongs. Sugawara, who had been looking forward to the “Former Grampus Derby” before the match, updated his official Instagram on the 9th and confessed, “I scored with my left foot for the first time. I’m happy to contribute to the team’s victory.” In addition, he added a hashtag and wrote about his feelings, “It was fun playing against Naoki-kun and the Japanese.”
AZ, who got off to a good start to win the Eredivisie title for the third time in the history of the club, will play midweek (13th) European Conference League Group E Round 4 against Apollon Lisomar (Cyprus) on the 16th. Play against Feyenoord in Section 10. Meanwhile, Utrecht will face PSV in the 10th matchday on the same day. Keep an eye on the activities of the “former Grampus warriors” who are active in the Netherlands.