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| Daizo Horikoshi getting the top scorer and assister awards with 15 goals and 19 assists in his name. PFL |
by Drew Malihan
MANILA - Daizo Horikoshi has been Kaya's go-to-guy since he arrived from Albirex Niigata Singapore last February 2020.
But it was during the 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara when the Japanese forward lights up, and one season of Philippines Football League later and he claims his first title as well as both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards.
After their 3-1 win against Stallion Laguna last Saturday inside the Rizal Memorial Stadium, Horikoshi shared a few words about his successful season with the Iloilo City-based squad.
"I'm really happy to get this," said Horikoshi about his and his team's success, looking at his two individual awards. "We (also) really wanted to be champions."
With both league-highs of 15 goals and 19 assists to his name, Horikoshi responds to some fans comparing his season numbers to Lionel Messi's current campaign at Paris Saint-Germain, to which he chuckled and said, "I like Messi also, I really want to be like him."
Daizo acknowledged his Kaya teammates as well for helping him to get such accolades.
"I just wanted to say 'Thank you' to my teammates because they pass me the ball (to score). I also passed them the ball and they score, that's why I got these two," said Horikoshi.
When asked about their family's reaction to younger brother Tamon's debut PFL goal, "my family were really happy, too," said the 26-year-old.
However, the Kanagawa native realized that the following season for the boys in yellow will be tougher with their upcoming participation in the AFC Champions League, his second stint in the continental tournament.
"Our goal is also the ACL," Horikoshi said. "ACL is tough because you will face higher level of competition."
"But it is good because this will be a good opportunity for us and we're preparing for that," he added.
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