Wolves snap up former Japanese international
The Wollongong Wolves Football Club have confirmed Japanese striker, Yuzo Tashiro will be playing for the club in this year’s 2017 PlayStation4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.
Following an extensive and successful career in Japan which saw him gain 3 representative appearances for the Japanese National Team and featuring in almost 200 matches in the J-League, Japan’s national competition, Tashiro is a proven goal scorer and attacking strike force.
Tashiro has enjoyed major success throughout his career wining three J League titles, and Emperor’s Cup and a Japanese Super Cup. He also played a major role at his last club, J-League Division 2 team Cerezo Osaka, helping them secure promotion back to the top tier.
Wolves coach Jacob Timpano was full of praise for the latest addition to his squad
“Having Yuzo up front for us is going to be a very big positive for our upcoming campaign. He is a proven goal scorer and his combinations with Patrick Antelmi, Josh Macdonald and Nico Bernal is going to cause defences plenty of nightmares. It’s no secret last season we let ourselves down by not taking full advantage of the chances we created but now we have assembled a forward line that is very potent.”
Tashiro was courted by numerous clubs looking to secure his signature both in Japan and overseas but decided his best option was to explore the opportunities available to him in Australia.
Speaking through an interpreter Tashiro said, “I have had a great career so far and was looking for the next big challenge. Never having played in Australia and hearing so many wonderful things about the country and the people, I wanted to experience that myself.
I was very lucky I managed to find a home here in Wollongong as the city is amazing, my team mates and coaches have been fantastic and all the people i have met have been so friendly. I can’t wait to help the team be the best we possibly can.”
Tashiro will be available for the Round 1 PlayStation 4 NPL Premier League clash on Saturday March 11th where the Wollongong Wolves will be opening their campaign against Parramatta FC at Melita Stadium.
Timpano added, “Yuzo has gelled with the rest of the boys immediately which is very encouraging as he hasn’t been with us for all that long. As the season progresses and he gets more comfortable and familiar with those around him I have no doubt he is going to be one of the real excitement machines of the league.”
The Wolves have assembled a quality squad with the retention of many of the team from last season, the return of some ex-Wolves who have come back to the fold after a few seasons at other clubs and an infusion of new talent to add to the depth and pressure for spots.
Wollongong Wolves Football Club, Director of Football, Dean Merola concluded, “We have assembled a side filled with local juniors, returning Wolves and players such as Tashiro, Antelmi, Haydon Morton, Ben Tosi, Hjistian Tanoski and Luke Kairies who wanted to be a part of what we are building. The team spirit is very strong and all the boys want to play with each other and for each other and represent the jersey and the region with pride. I’ve been involved with football for many years and haven’t seen too many sides as close knit and talented as this one.”
The Wolves play their first two rounds of the season away against Parramatta and Sydney Olympic with their first home game scheduled on Sunday March 26th at WIN Stadium – The Wolf Den.
