While it’s great news for Auckland FC, it’s also a boon for football in this country, given what he could contribute in the coming years. “As the captain, he really sets the tone of who we are as people, who we want to represent in the community,” says Auckland FC director of football Terry McFlynn. Photo / PhotosportFuture plansWe catch up with Sakai in the Auckland FC team room, after the post-training lunch. “It would be wrong of us to pigeonhole him into something that doesn’t utilise everything he brings.”Hiroki Sakai celebrates an Auckland FC goal against Wellington Phoenix. “I’m a professional player, but my role is not only to play football,” says Sakai.

Source: New Zealand Herald April 10, 2026 21:54 UTC