Profile
Season stats
Full career & schedule →Domestic-league season · Auckland.
Performance data · by competition
| Competition | Apps | G | A | Min | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 A-League | 22 | 0 | 2 | 1565 | 7.03 |
Scout report
H. Sakai is a 36-year-old full-back at Auckland, enjoying a standout season — 0 goals and 2 assists in 22 appearances, a Season grade of 29, top 25% of A-League full-backs. On long-term scout potential he's rated 7, ranking 171st of 193 in the A-League. A seasoned veteran, he has been a regular starter (72.5% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 4.26 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Sakai.
Judged on this season alone, Sakai graded 29 — a strong campaign that ranks top 25% of the 32 full-backs in the A-League, on 5 clean sheets and 4.256 defensive actions per 90.
Year-on-year, that's a clear step up on last season (Season 8 → 29). Over the 6 seasons on record his form has drifted down, peaking in 2020/21.
On long-term talent our Rating reads 7, 32nd of 32 of the 32 full-backs in the A-League. At 36 Sakai is into the veteran stage, where the age curve weighs on the projection, and a market index of 0.1 reflects that trajectory.
Past his 2020/21 peak — the recent trend is downward, so buyers are paying for what's left, not what was.
Output in context · Auckland finished 3rd of 12 · an upper-table side
4.26 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — solid defensive volume, with 5 clean sheets across 22 appearances. Behind an upper-table side (3rd of 12) the side controls more games, so the defensive load is lighter — the value sits as much in composure and ball progression as in raw volume. Going forward he chipped in 0 goals and 2 assists — a useful bonus from the back.
Strengths
- Availability. On the pitch for 72.5% of available minutes — a dependable presence in the XI.
- Defensive volume. 4.26 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — does the unseen work.
Watch points
- Age curve. At 36, both level and resale value are on the downslope.
- Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.
Outlook
With a Rating of 7, Sakai carries the 32nd-highest potential of the full-backs in the A-League of 32. Defensively he reads as solid defensive volume (4.26 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Veteran phase — a short-term, lower-fee proposition as both level and value decline (0.6× and falling).
Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.
Transfer news
No transfer news found for this player.
