Hisato Sato 'honoured' to be named Goal.com's World Player of the Week

19/07/2012 7:15:00 PM

The former Japan international hopes to win the accolade again in December after playing a starring role in Sanfrecce Hiroshima's charge towards the summit of the J-League

EXCLUSIVE
By Jun Nagata and Dan Orlowitz

Hisato Sato told Goal.com on Thursday that he was proud to be named the site's World Player of the Week.

The 30-year-old striker sent Sanfrecce Hiroshima to the top of the J-League table with a pair of strikes against Kawasaki Frontale last week, and is currently leading the league's scoring charts with 14 goals.

"I'm a big fan of Goal.com, and to be chosen as their World Player of the Week is an honour," Sato told Goal.com Japan. "I want to keep playing well so I can be chosen again after we've won the championship."

Sanfrecce's turn at the top of the table is their first since Sato joined the club in 2005.

"The J-League is very interesting right now, with two smaller teams [Sanfrecce and Vegalta Sendai] fighting for top spot," the former Japan international continued.

"I'm glad we are being recognised for bringing excitement to the league."

Sato, who recently made his 200th appearance and netted his 100th goal for Sanfrecce, will face off against Alessandro Del Piero and the all-Tohoku Team As One squad as a member of the J-League Selection at the Kashima Soccer Stadium on Saturday.

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