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Japanese talent leading Roar's youth push

3 minute read

Japanese midfielder Riku Danzaki's outstanding start to life in the A-League is spearheading Brisbane's focus on young talent.

He's the 20-year-old from Japan who is at the forefront of Brisbane's brigade of exciting young A-League talent.

Midfielder Riku Danzaki may not have been known to many in Australia when the Roar announced his signing on loan from J-League club Consadole Sapporo in November.

But he's quickly established himself as a fan favourite for the Roar, scoring three goals in five appearances including a double in Saturday's thumping 5-2 win over Melbourne Victory.

"I knew of his quality. He's hungry. He wants an opportunity," Roar coach Warren Moon said of Danzaki.

"He wasn't getting much of an opportunity in the J-League. He's come here for an opportunity, and with young players when you give them opportunity, you know you're going to get that from them. He's no different."

The Japanese prospect is one of several youngsters to have played a leading role in the Roar's fine start to the A-League season which has them top of the table after a four-game winning run.

In-form 23-year-old Dylan Wenzel-Halls also scored against Victory for his fifth goal of the season.

Afghan-born midfielder Rahmat Akbari (20), 19-year-old fullback Kai Trewin and 23-year-old Jesse Daley have also become key components of Moon's eye-catching team.

"All the boys coming in, they're hungry, they want to play, they want to perform and they want to do well," Moon said.

"When you've got that core group of youngsters coming into it, mixed with the senior boys to obviously get that experience around the park, it's a great little blend right now and Riku is definitely a part of that."

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