Mainz Celebrates Key Bundesliga Victory Thanks to Kaishu Sano
Mainz would not be celebrating their first victory of the 2025/25 Bundesliga season without an exceptional performance from Japanese midfielder Kaishu Sano. The 24-year-old not only scored a goal but also provided two assists during Mainz’s impressive 4-1 away win against Augsburg on matchday four. This achievement was particularly significant as Sano’s contributions came after Mainz faced a setback with Dominik Kohr receiving a red card.
A Milestone Moment for Sano
It’s noteworthy that the three scoring contributions from Sano on Saturday marked his debut on the Bundesliga score sheet. Last season, he was a vital part of head coach Bo Henriksen’s midfield, starting all 34 league matches and playing the full 90 minutes in all but two of those games. Formerly with Kashima Antlers, Sano has proven to be a reliable player, reminiscent of an “iron man.”
Uninterrupted Stamina
In the current season, Sano was substituted in the 85th minute during the opening match against Union Berlin and left the pitch in the 79th minute of a game against Werder Bremen a few weeks later. However, since then, his number has not appeared on the fourth official’s board again, and he has played the entire 90 minutes in both of Mainz’s cup matches.
This year, he has continued his remarkable track record, participating fully in seven matches across all competitions. Since joining Mainz, Sano has played an impressive 3,884 out of a possible 3,900 minutes.
Rapid Rise in Market Value
In just ten months, Sano’s performance has led to a notable increase in his market value, soaring from €4.5 million to €20 million. This development has generated surprise among fans and analysts alike, particularly given that he had not previously scored or assisted in a Bundesliga match until this weekend.
Coach’s Praise
In a post-match discussion with German broadcaster ARD, Coach Henriksen expressed his admiration, labeling Sano’s performance as “outstanding.”
Player’s Perspective
Sano, reflecting on his contributions, underscored his role primarily as a defensive midfielder.
“As always, I play for the team,” Sano stated. “I’m glad I could help on the pitch. Scoring isn’t my main focus; rather, it’s about putting in hard work during training and in every game.”
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