Kyoto was struggling to avoid relegation, but their savior striker Elias, who joined the team this summer, is in top form, scoring six goals in six games. He also contributed to the victory against FC Tokyo with two goals in a row.

Since joining, the team has risen to 15th place with 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. MC Yoshito Okubo also praised his performance, saying, “This is truly a savior.” Okubo also revealed the “secret” of Kyoto’s strength.

▼Kyoto’s new ace striker Elias is “fitting in”

Yoshito Okubo, a former Japan national team striker, is the MC of “KICK OFF! KANSAI,” a J.League support program on MBS that focuses on soccer information in the Kansai region. He gave high praise to Kyoto Sanga F.C. striker Rafael Elias, who scored two consecutive goals in the 28th J.League match against FC Tokyo (3-0).

It was a lightning-quick strike. In the second minute of the first half, Elias headed in a corner kick to give the team the lead. This was his second consecutive goal, and he has now scored six goals in six games since joining the team this summer, setting an astonishing record.

(Yoshihito Okubo) “I think he really got into Kyoto’s football, and after he scored a goal in the match against Jubilo (Iwata) (in his second game), he suddenly got on a roll. He’s really a savior.”

Elias made his debut in the 23rd round match against Urawa Reds (0-0). In the second match against Jubilo Iwata, he came on as a substitute in the second half and scored his first goal, and in the following match, he started and scored again in the 3-2 win over Nagoya Grampus.

He scored a hat trick in the 27th round match against Cerezo Osaka (5-3). With six goals in just six matches, he ranks second behind the team’s top scorer, forward Hara Daichi.

The team, which had been in the relegation zone of J2, has risen to 15th place with four wins, one draw and one loss since Elias joined the team. They are in great form.

▼ Kyoto: “I have the stamina to run even in the heat”

(Okubo Yoshito) “They are incredibly strong. I think every team is afraid of Kyoto right now. The coach’s style of football is one that revolves around running, so they can run more than anyone else, and they have the stamina to run even in this heat. They’ve been doing it since the training camp, so that’s another reason they’re so strong.”

Okubo also revealed the “secret” of Kyoto’s strength as they continue to accumulate points in an attempt to stay in the league. The sudden emergence of this mainstay will be a source of excitement until the end of the season.

(From the recording of the MBS “KICK OFF! KANSAI” broadcast on Sundays from 0:50 to 1:20 on August 25, 2024)