On the pitch, Mainz 05 has a new, well-running midfield engine. A versatile driver with exceptional energy, as shown by Kaishu Sano’s first competitive appearance, which made a big impression. After a strenuous 120-minute first-round cup fight at SV Wehen Wiesbaden, Mainz coach Bo Henriksen was full of admiration for the 23-year-old Japanese: “He’s a machine.”
And striker Jonathan Burkardt, who scored a goal in the Bundesliga club’s 3-1 win after extra time, was no less enthusiastic about his new teammate’s performance: “You had the feeling that Kaishu had a huge tank.” With the 1.76 meter tall and 67 kilogram Japanese, Mainz 05 clearly has a new source of strength and inspiration in the number six position.
It was not foreseeable that Sano would get up to speed so quickly at his new job. At the beginning of July, Mainz announced the signing of the national player from Kashima Antlers for a sum of between two and three million euros. But due to suspicion of sexual assault, Sano was then held in custody in Tokyo for 16 days.
“It’s getting faster and faster”
After the public prosecutor’s office dropped the case, the defensive midfielder only arrived at Mainz’s training camp in South Tyrol at the beginning of August. In the friendly match against Montpellier (3:1) about a week ago, Sano played for about an hour. Teammate Burkardt therefore assumed “that Kaishu would have to go off after 70 or 80 minutes.”
But things literally went very well for the Japanese in Wiesbaden despite his much shortened preseason preparation. “I thought: That can’t be true. He’s getting faster and faster and is running more and more,” said Burkardt afterwards about the Japanese running wonder.
Like the attacker, Henriksen also found Sano’s performance “incredible”. Sporting director Niko Bungert used the word “outstanding”. The national player also impressed with clever and energetic tackles, impressive technique and a good sense of space in the center. In short: “I think Kaishu has made himself very popular with his teammates,” said Bungert.
The Japanese player still has to earn respect in other areas. Mainz 05 has been criticized by its own ultras for the way it has handled the Kaishu Sano case. In a detailed statement by the “Q-Block,” it says, among other things: “Those responsible at Mainz 05 are giving instructions on the well-known behavior pattern: silence.
Demand of the Ultras
Sweeping such matters under the carpet is wrong on so many levels that we, and especially those affected by sexual violence, cannot live with it.” Mainz is sending “a fatal signal” that the club is not interested in clarifying the case. The Ultras are demanding “at least transparent communication from the club in public, which can only come about through a sincere desire for clarification.”
In a statement, the Mainz board emphasized that “the legal decision of the authorities in connection with the allegations against the player” was “decisive” for the club. “Of course, the investigations against our player have also affected us. For us as employers, it is essential that our employees not only respect the law, but also that their behavior corresponds to our norms and values, which we publicly stand for and which we also live by in many social projects,” it continued.
In addition, in a personal conversation with Kaishu Sano, “we did not gain any information that contradicts our decision to integrate him into our team.” At the same time, the Mainz team announced that they would “firmly oppose slander and unprovable allegations.” “If necessary, we will take legal action against false public accusations that affect us as a board.”
After winning the cup match, Sano answered questions from Japanese media representatives in the mixed zone. An interpreter was not available at that moment. The journalists subsequently reported that Sano had only commented on Mainz’s game in Wiesbaden.
