“He is not a smart striker” – Japanese defender lashes at Nigeria’s most prolific forward in Europe over the last three years

The Japanese centre-back has solely spent a yr in Belgium, going through the Tremendous Eagles ahead twice

KV Kortrijk defender Tsuyoshi Watanabe has taken an enormous swipe at Tremendous Eagles striker Paul Onuachu, suggesting that the KRC Genk star is just not as sensible as his objective document suggests.

A detailed commentary of Onuachu’s objective account reveals that the ahead is probably the most prolific Nigerian attacker in any of Europe’s first leagues for the reason that begin of the 2020/2021 season.

Onuachu, utilizing his peak benefit, clever motion, and ending nous, has scored 62 league objectives for Genk during the last two and a half seasons, greater than any of his countrymen.

Tsuyoshi Watanabe, who arrived in Belgium in December 2021, is among the defenders who has been on the receiving finish of Onuachu’s penalty field prowess.

Three months after the Japanese defender joined Kortrijk, he was not named within the workforce’s squad that misplaced to an Onuachu-inspired Genk on the Cegeka Enviornment.

Onuachu scored the primary and assisted the second in a simple 2-0 win for the Smurfs final February.

Paul Onuachu and Tsuyoshi Watanabe’s first face-off, nevertheless, got here in October with the Nigerian claiming the bragging rights on the last whistle.

The KRC Genk striker scored each objectives handy his facet a 2-1 dwelling victory in a matchday 11 fixture.

Watanabe edged the newest assembly between the 2, although, retaining Onuachu quiet for 68 minutes earlier than the striker was changed. Uruguayan ahead Felipe Avenatti scored the one objective of the encounter as Kortrijk ran out 1-0 winners on the Guldensporenstadion in December.

And regardless of his partaking duel with Onuachu, Watanabe believes the striker is just not as sensible as his Kortrijk teammate, Avennatti, who has six league objectives, eight fewer than Onuachu’s haul.

What has been stated? 

In an interview with Nieuwsblad, Watanabe was requested to match the Japanese and Belgian leagues, and in his response, the 25-year-old launched his unprovoked assault towards Onuachu.

“(The Japanese league) has smarter and extra technical gamers than the Belgian,” Watanabe stated.

“Many duels are fought right here between large boys. Take the match towards Genk now. I confronted Onuachu. participant, however not a wise striker. He solely makes use of his physique and I managed to win many headers from him.

“Avenatti was the perfect striker I ever needed to defend towards. Final yr within the duel towards Beerschot, he made it fairly tough for us and scored as soon as. Avenatti is large, however he has a variety of method and that makes it tough for a defender.”

Southampton-linked Onuachu has 14 league objectives this time period, along with his contribution serving to Genk to ascertain a six-point lead on the high of the Jupiler Professional League.