Kaishu Sano - Soccer News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

Assists in narrow victory Sano had an assist while taking an off target shot, creating two chances and making four interceptions during Saturday's 4-3 win over Mainz.

Impact Sano set up Eric Martel in the 78th minute while leading Mainz in chances created and interceptions. The midfielder has combined for two assists, two shots, six chances created and 11 interceptions over his last three starts.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Sets up opening goal Sano had an assist while creating two chances during Sunday's 5-0 win over Hamburg.

Impact Sano set up Sheraldo Becker in the 19th minute assisting the opening goal of the match. The assist was the first this season for Sano as he's halfway to last season's total, when he appeared in every match, through two games in the new campaign.

SEPTEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Brazil vs Japan Extended Highlights 🌎🏆 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Round of 32

Brazil vs Japan Extended Highlights 🌎🏆 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Round of 32

JUNE 29 • FOX SPORTS

Brazil vs Japan was a journey and the managers experienced it firsthand

Brazil vs Japan was a journey and the managers experienced it firsthand

JUNE 29 • FOX SPORTS

Brazil vs Japan Highlights 🌎🏆 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Round of 32

Brazil vs Japan Highlights 🌎🏆 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Round of 32

JUNE 29 • FOX SPORTS

Brazil vs. Japan Highlights: Brazil Advances With Goal In Final Minutes

Follow Brazil vs. Japan live at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Real-time score updates, key plays, and match analysis as it happens.

JUNE 29 • FOX SPORTS

Brazil vs. Japan Highlights: Brazil Advances With Goal In Final Minutes

An electric moment as Japan takes the lead over Brazil ⚡️

An electric moment as Japan takes the lead over Brazil ⚡️

JUNE 29 • FOX SPORTS

JAPAN TAKES THE LEAD OVER BRAZIL 🇯🇵

JAPAN TAKES THE LEAD OVER BRAZIL 🇯🇵

JUNE 29 • FOX SPORTS

Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu celebrates his team taking the lead over Brazil in the Round of 32 🇯🇵

Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu celebrates his team taking the lead over Brazil in the Round of 32 🇯🇵

JUNE 29 • FOX SPORTS

Japan's goal against Brazil had the fans in Tokyo going crazy 🇯🇵

Japan's goal against Brazil had the fans in Tokyo going crazy 🇯🇵

JUNE 29 • FOX SPORTS

A giveaway from Brazil in the midfield and Japan capitalizes 🇯🇵

A giveaway from Brazil in the midfield and Japan capitalizes 🇯🇵

JUNE 29 • FOX SPORTS

Japan's Kaishū Sano scores screamer from outside the box, taking lead vs Brazil

Japan's Kaishū Sano scores screamer from outside the box, taking lead vs Brazil

JUNE 29 • FOX SPORTS

Scores in loss to Brazil Sano scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Monday's 2-1 defeat to Brazil. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 12th minute.

Impact Sano broke the deadlock for Japan midway through the first half with a shot from outside the box that sneaked past Alisson's reach. However, the defensive midfielder looked overmatched by the creativity of the Brazilian playmakers in the second half. Sano, primarily a holding midfielder, finished the World Cup with one goal, one assist, four interceptions, three tackles and two clearances in three starts.

JUNE 29 • ROTOWIRE

Assist Saturday Sano recorded one assist on a chance created and one cross in Saturday's 4-0 win over Tunisia.

Impact Sano would once again play the full 90 for Japan as they defeated Tunisia, his second straight game playing the full 90. However, he would walk away with an assist this time, finding Ayase Ueda in the 83rd minute for the final goal of the match. He would also complete 71 passes, third-best on the team Saturday.

JUNE 21 • ROTOWIRE

Goes full 90 minutes Sano had two tackles (one won) and one interception in Sunday's 2-2 draw versus Netherlands.

Impact Sano was one of the few midfielders to play the full 90 minutes on Sunday, finishing with two tackles, four recoveries, and one interception against the Netherlands. Offensively, he showed some promise with an 81 percent pass accuracy, though he offered little impact in the final third. His strength is typically in the physical side of the game as he averaged around a 93 percent aerial duel success rate with Mainz this season. He wasn't able to replicate that Sunday, winning just one of five attempts. Overall, his value remains tied to defensive volume rather than attacking output for Japan.

JUNE 14 • ROTOWIRE

Another decent option in midfield Sano has been named in Japan's World Cup squad and is expected to compete for a starting role in the midfield throughout the competition under coach Hajime Moriyasu.

Impact Sano made 48 appearances for Mainz across all competitions this season, contributing two goals and five assists while providing the defensive solidity and pressing intensity that has made him one of the most consistent Japanese midfielders in European football over the past two seasons. Sano's energy, ball-winning ability and intelligent positioning give Japan a compact and difficult-to-play-through midfield presence that complements the more creative players around him, and his Bundesliga experience gives him the credentials to perform under pressure at international level. Sano heads into the World Cup as an important midfield option for manager Moriyasu and a player who could play a key role in Japan's efforts to progress beyond the group stage.

JUNE 2 • ROTOWIRE

Records one shot Sano registered one shot (one on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-0 victory over FC Heidenheim.

Impact Sano ends his season on a three-match streak without a goal contribution, not seeing his best efforts Saturday with only one shot and a chance created. That said, it wasn't the most productive second season in Mainz for the midfielder, although better than his first with the club, notching one goal and two assists in 34 appearances.

MAY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Earns assist Sano assisted once to go with two shots (zero on goal), two crosses (one accurate) and three chances created in Saturday's 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich.

Impact Sano earned an assist early Saturday as his club took an early lead, with the midfielder finding Dominik Kohr in the 15th minute for the opening goal. This is only a third goal contribution all season, coming as his second assist. This comes despite having yet to miss a match all season, starting in all 31 appearances.

APRIL 27 • ROTOWIRE

Two chances created Sano registered one shot (zero on goal) and two chances created in Sunday's 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Impact Sano created a pair of chances Sunday, but just couldn't put himself on the scoresheet during the clash. The midfielder has been excellent, though he hasn't quite lived up to his brilliance from last season. He has good upside on both sides of the ball, especially in matches where he has time to look for forward passes.

MARCH 23 • ROTOWIRE

Records one shot Sano registered one shot (zero on goal) in Saturday's 2-0 victory against FC Augsburg.

Impact Sano was back in his usual spot Saturday, with the midfielder yet to miss a start this season in 21 appearances. He would record one shot in the match, a third straight game with a shot after seven games in a row with no shots. However, he remains at two goal contributions this season, with his last coming in the fourth game of the season.

FEBRUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in win Sano scored one goal and assisted once from two shots and two chances created in Saturday's 4-1 victory versus FC Augsburg.

Impact Sano scored and assisted Saturday for his first appearance on the scoresheet this season. It was also his first career Bundesliga goal, having went scoreless in his debut season in 202/25.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Starts every match Sano started all 34 Bundesliga matches during his first season in Mainz.

Impact Sano made the move to Mainz and immediately established himself as the most important part of the starting XI. He played every single match, going the full 90 in all but two matches. While his stats weren't particularly impressive, the work Sano did to link the midfield and defense was invaluable.

MAY 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Subbed off against Bremen Sano generated two clearances and one interception in Sunday's 2-1 loss against Werder Bremen.

Impact Sano made a good defensive contribution, created a chance, and completed a dribble before being replaced by Silvan Widmer in the 79th minute. Sano has started all three games this season after joining from Kashima Antlers, showing early signs of adapting well to his new team.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Mainz 'surprised' by reports new signing Kaishu Sano was arrested in Japan

Bundesliga club Mainz says it is “surprised” by Japanese media reports that new signing Kaishu Sano was arrested in Japan

JULY 17, 2024 • Associated Press