Mainz celebrate ‘Iron Man’ Kaishu Sano’s Bundesliga scoring debut

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Mainz definitely wouldn’t be commemorating their first Bundesliga victory of the 2025/25 season were it not for an absolute command performance from Japanese midfielder Kaishu Sano. The 24-year-old scored a goal and collected two assists in Mainz’s 1-4 matchday four away victory over Augsburg. Crucially, Sano’s two assets came after Mainz found themselves reduced to ten men via Dominik Kohr’s record-tying sending off.

It may surprise some to learn that the three scorer-points picked up by Sano on Saturday actually constituted the very first time Sano got his name on a Bundesliga scoresheet. Sano served as an indispensable anchor of head coach Bo Henriksen’s midfield last season, starting all 34 league fixtures and going the full 90 minutes on all but two occasions. The former Kashima Antlers defensive midfielder is a true “iron man“.

Sano found himself subbed off in the 85th-minute of Mainz’s matchday one encounter against Union Berlin. A few weeks later, he exited the pitch in the 79th-minute of a matchday three fixture against Werder Bremen. From that point forward, Sano’s number was never once placed on the fourth official’s board again. Sano also went the full 90 in both of Mainz’s cup fixtures. 

This year, Sano has once again logged maximum minutes in seven appearances across all competitions. In his year plus with the Rheinhessen, Sano has incredibly played 3,884 of a potential 3,900 minutes. 

Simply stated, Sano had an amazing year. Within the space of ten months, the now eight-times-capped Samurai international increased his estimated market value from €4.5m to €20m.

Premier League clubs have already put out feelers. It certainly won’t be long before Sano will be drawn to the Isle. Sano’s success helped Mainz recruit his potential long-term replacement Sota Kawasaki this summer.

It certainly came as a surprise for many to learn that Sano had actually never scored a Bundesliga goal or even registered an assist prior to today.

In his post-match interview with German public broadcaster ARD, Henriksen could only breathlessly revel in how “outstanding” Sano played. 

The player himself emphasized that he is a defensive midfielder first and foremost. 

“As always, I play for the team,” Sano said. “Fortunately, I was able to help them on the pitch. Scoring is not my main task, but for me it’s always about working hard in training and everywhere on the pitch.”