Sint Truiden’s Japanese star Ryotaro Ito on fire to start the Pro League season | OneFootball

Sint Truiden continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-0 victory over Dender on Friday evening. Man of the match for the side was their 27-year-old Japanese star Ryotaro Ito. The midfielder is great on the eye, and so far this season, has been on fire in front of goal. The former Urawa Red Diamonds midfielder grabbed his third goal in three games to surpass last seasons total of just two goals in 36 games.

Ito is in his third season at the club, having joined in 2023 from Albirex Niigata. In his first year with the club he scores seven goals and grabbed four assists in 37 games. He looks set to repeat this feat, and it is clearly down to having another attack minded coach in the dugout. Last season, Ito struggled under three different head coaches, with the player being dropped to the bench at times as the side looked to contain the opposition. Wouter Vrancken clearly see’s that the side plays better with Ito in the midfield, creating chances and moving the ball.

Ito is a joy to watch. He moves around the pitch looking to get involved in everything the side looks to create, which was a real hallmark of the sides success under Thorsen Fink two seasons ago. If Vrancken can continue to get the best out of Ito, the side could repeat that success and steer themselves clear of any relegation fears they suffered last season. He has the players around him as well who benefit from his style of play. It seems unlikely, but if Ito can have a real standout campaign he may be an outside shout for a spot in Japan’s side for the World Cup next year.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson