Kaz zooming after flight with Eagles
IT has taken 12 months longer than he hoped but Nerang recruit Kazuma Kobayashi is relishing the chance to work under coach Dave Benigno as he continues his journey towards the J-League.
After making an immediate impact at Burleigh this year, 23-year-old Kobayashi yesterday officially joined fellow signings Acim Tomic, Tolga Yorulmaz and Tim Jackson at Premier League rivals Nerang.
The Tokyo product, who turned down a potential NPL opportunity with the Brisbane Strikers, first crossed paths with Benigno last year during a trial at Gold Coast Knights.
But with both men ultimately moving on, Kobayashi said his desire to reunite with the former Surfers Paradise mentor played a key role in his Eagles move.
“I have wanted to train again under Dave for a while now and I like his style of football and the level of energy that he brings. He is very kind and very good at what he does,” Kobayashi, who moved to Queensland to explore his football options, said.
“I’ve come to Nerang to get the best training and play to win. I’m so happy to represent Nerang and will do my best but I want to eventually play in the J-League and I’m going to do everything I can to make that dream happen.”
Normally a defensive midfielder, Kobayashi starred in the centre of defence this year as Burleigh reached the Premier League finals.
The former China National University student’s eight goals also earned him a spot in the Gold Coast Select Team of the Year, with his sights now set on mentoring the rising crop at the Academy of Football Australia based at Nerang.
“I am always thinking about scoring goals, always thinking about putting the ball into the net ... that’s what I want to do,” Kobayashi said.
“I’m looking forward to this coming season a lot more and I hope to work with the team and younger academy players to help lift the fighting spirit within the squad, to make us all very hungry to win.”
Benigno, who has returned to coaching after taking a break this year, said the addition of Kobayashi had given the Eagles another important puzzle piece.
“Of course, not losing sight of the wealth of young talent that’s coming up and through (the AFA) at Nerang, I think Kaz will once again be a force to be reckoned with and worth watching. He’s probably the most aggressive Japanese player I’ve ever seen,” Benigno said.
“I think people are going to see an increase in competitiveness and a different brand of football with a little more passion ... I can’t promise anything but floating in the top four is where we want to be.”
I AM ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT SCORING GOALS, ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT PUTTING THE BALL INTO THE NET
NERANG’S KAZUMA KOBAYASHI