A Japanese goalkeeper did not lose hope despite playing one match in nine years

To be a backup guard is a ungrateful task, but the patience of the veteran Japanese Shunoki Ando came in his fruits this week, when he played his first match in nine years.

The thirty -fourth son is playing his seventeenth season with Kawasaki Frontali, just like him in 24 games, before carrying his colors again on Tuesday in the AFC Champions League against Central Cost Mariners Australian.

His last matches were in May 2016, but Ando did not show signs of rust and presented a good level during his team’s 2-0 victory, after his team was in his qualification to the exclusionary roles.

Ando spent all his seasons except for one in the ranks of the elite league with Kawasaki, and he told Agence France Presse that he did not regret this journey in his career. The opportunity.

He continued, “I never lost confidence or enthusiasm. Of course there is frustration, but the incentive has never retreated. ”

Ando grew up in the ranks of Kawasaki’s juniors and became professional in 2009, then started his career the following year.

He suffered to remove the team’s primary goalkeeper, lending to Seonan Belmani before he quickly returned to his mother club.

Nevertheless, he found the main team’s road complicated, and until Tuesday, he had played one match in 11 years.