Coventry City experienced the agony of the play-offs after they were beaten in the very last second on Tuesday night.
Dan Ballard’s towering header in the 120th minute brought Sunderland level on the night and ahead on aggregate, after Ephron Mason-Clark’s goal in normal time levelled the tie.
Frank Lampard was distraught in his post-match interview as he suffered Championship play-off heartbreak again but he can still be proud of the fact that he took Coventry from 17th to a top six finish.
Premier League football may have to wait for another season at least, but one Coventry player may have secured a move to the top flight anyway after standing out for the Sky Blues at the Stadium of Light.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Tatsuhiro Sakamoto was excellent for Coventry City
While the likes of Mason-Clark, Liam Kitching and more will get the plaudits, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto is the one who was a cut above the rest.
Playing as a winger on the night, Sakamoto was everywhere all across the pitch and shone for his defensive work rate more than anything.
Minutes Played 120
Accurate Passes 34/36 (94%)
Ground Duels Won 8/9
Aerial Duels Won 2/5
Key Passes 1
Dribble Attempts 2/2
Fouled 2
Stats via Sofascore
The Japan international won eight of his nine ground duels, as well as achieving an almost perfect pass completion rate, blowing everyone else out of the water.
Even in the closing moments of extra time, the 28-year-old was still closing down, trying to force Sunderland players into a mistake and it’s that sort of desire that could see him become a man in-demand.
Tatsuhiro Sakamoto’s contract situation will appeal to Premier League clubs
Lampard will be keen to keep the nucleus of his squad and add on top of all the bits that make it tick already.
Sakamoto certainly makes the Sky Blues work but his performance on Tuesday will certainly have clubs in the lower echelons of the Premier League table eyeing him up.
Capology also states that the 28-year-old’s current deal expires in June 2026. With only a year left, some teams may see it as an opportunity to poach him in a cut-price deal and provide him the chance that he couldn’t reach with Coventry.