Reinvented Balestier Khalsa striker Kodai Tanaka no longer fixated on goal targets

Balestier Khalsa striker Kodai Tanaka is reinventing himself to become a more well-rounded player. PHOTO: BALESTIER KHALSA

Melvyn Teoh

UPDATED Apr 24, 2025, 12:27 AM

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SINGAPORE – Terrorising defences with aplomb, Kodai Tanaka registered 33 goals and 11 assists as he won the 2022 Singapore Premier League (SPL) title with Albirex Niigata in his debut campaign and was also crowned Player of the Year.

While he is still bulging the net with 20 goals in 26 SPL games for Balestier Khalsa this season, the Japanese is now reinventing himself as a more well-rounded player.

No longer is he fixated on scoring, as the 25-year-old, who had set himself a 40-goal target at the start of the term, believes that he has added another dimension to his game, adapting his playing style to create more chances for his teammates.

“I don’t want to set a goal target any more, I’m not that focused on scoring any more because I also assist a lot, create chances, which is also good for me,” said Tanaka, who has 14 assists, behind Geylang International’s Ryoya Taniguchi (18) and leader Maxime Lestienne (20) of the Lion City Sailors.