JAPANESE player Kohei Matsumoto’s will be dedicating his performance in the 2017 OFC Champions League to his mother, Kimie Matsumoto, who is suffering from cancer.
Matsumoto, is originally from Osaka in Japan and has been included in the Rewa team for the competition.
He played for Hawke’s Bay and Auckland City in the New Zealand Football Championship and ASB Premiership in New Zealand.
“I came to Rewa to help them win the OFC Champions League,” he said.
“Even though I am from Japan I have played in New Zealand for the past three seasons for Auckland City and Hawke’s Bay.
“One of the officials from Rewa contacted me to play for them and I agreed.”
Kohei’s mum who has a bowel cancer told him to go ahead and play football as she will be going through her final operation at the end of this month when his son will be on a tour of New Zealand with Rewa.
“It is a very good and a big opportunity for me to help the team win the competition,” he said.
“She told me to continue my career with Rewa and play football.”
Matsumoto, 27, is the fourth overseas inclusion for Rewa player after three Brazilian players Galvao Maximo Diego, Tannus De Oliveira Junior Marcelo and Silva Junior Elias joined the team earlier last month.
Rewa after finishing the 2016 national league on second spot qualified with winners Ba for the OFC competition.
Coach Marika Rodu said Kohei was one player who could play dual positions in defence and attack.
“He is a specific left and right wing in terms of playing in the back four with two players and he is made for that position,” he said.
“We lacked that locally.
“He will not only play, but also give insight to the other players on how to carry out that role.”
Rewa is pooled with Marist FC from Solomon Islands, Tahiti’s AS Tefana and Erakor Golden Star from Vanuatu.
