New Omiya Ardija coach Robert Verbeek is pinning the Mighty Squirrels' J. League hopes on Daigo Kobayashi -- and is keeping his fingers crossed the big clubs don't come sniffing around the brilliant young midfielder.
Reysol Midfielder Minoru Suganuma (right) scores his team's second goal of the game in the second half against Jubilo Iwata at Kashiwa Hitachi Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Kashiwa won 4-0.
KYODO PHOTOThe 24-year-old Kobayashi was sensational in his first season for Omiya in 2006 after arriving from Tokyo Verdy, scoring nine goals and almost single-handedly leading the Saitama side to a respectable 12th-place finish.