Isa Sakamoto had a terrific April with three goals for Gamba Osaka and he’s been honored for that great play with the Young Player of the Month award.

Sakamoto scored in Gamba’s 2-1 win over Sagan Tosu then scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win over Urawa Reds the next week. He scored again the following week in a loss to Kashima Antlers.

The emergence of the 20-year-old into a match-winner was massive for a Gamba team that has struggled to score all season. No team in J1 has scored fewer goals, but they are competing with the top teams in the league thanks to timely scoring and the continued growth of Sakamoto.

Tsubasa Kasayanagi was named J2’s top young player for the month after scoring a goal and adding an assist to help V-Varen Nagasaki put up five wins from five in April. The 20-year-old continues to be a major creative threat from the wing.

Yuto Ozeki was named Young Player of the Month in J3 after notching a goal and an assist for Fukushima United.