Last summer, Sint Truiden were once again looking for a new goalkeeper. Zion Suzuki, who had joined in 2023, was set to join Parma. Once again, the side turned to Japan to find a replacement. They settled on 24-year-old Leo Kokubo, a Japanese youth international who had been playing in Portugal for Benfica’s second team. Despite the sides struggles this season, Kokubo has proved more than an adequate replacement for the excellent Suzuki. Kokubo and Suzuki are highlighting the excellent strength in depth that Japan have at the goalkeeping position.

In the past few weeks Kokubo has helped the side win points with some fantastic reflex saves. It has been clear that, as the season has progressed, the goalkeeper has grown in confidence. It will certainly have helped having a strong Japanese core at the club, which has been standard for Sint Truiden since they got Japanese owners. None of those saves may have been as important as the one against Beerschot on Friday evening. With his side having taken a 1-0 lead, Beerschot were awarded a penalty. However, Kokubu was able to save it and in the end the side ran out 2-0 winners.

⛔️ | Leo Kokubo duikt de juiste kant uit en stopt de elfmeter van Beerschot! 🥅🧤 #STVBEE

— DAZN België (@DAZN_BENL) March 7, 2025

This could be a huge moment in the season for the side. Dropping points against bottom of the table Beerschot would have all but guaranteed they would be playing in the relegation play-offs at the end of the regular season. Yet with these three points, the Canaries now have a chance of survival on the final day of regular competition.