Leo Brian Kokubo (小久保 玲央 ブライアン, Kokubo Reo Buraian, born 23 January 2001) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Belgian team Sint-Truiden.
International career
Kokubo was born in Japan to a Nigerian father and Japanese mother. He is a youth international for Japan, having represented the Japan U16s, U18s and U23s.[1]
In the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup final, Kokubo saved penalty shot by Umarali Rakhmonaliev during stoppage time, helping Japan secure their 1–0 score against Uzbekistan, winning the competition for the second time in their history. He was consequently named as "Man of the match" for his heroic performance in the final.[2][3]
Career statistics
- As of match played 15 February 2025[4]
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Benfica B | 2021–22 | Liga Portugal 2 | 9 | 0 | — | 9 | 0 | |
| 2022–23 | Liga Portugal 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2023–24 | Liga Portugal 2 | 16 | 0 | — | 16 | 0 | ||
| Total | 25 | 0 | — | 25 | 0 | |||
| Sint-Truiden | 2024–25 | Belgian Pro League | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| Career total | 48 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 0 | ||
Honours
Benfica
Japan U23
References
- ^ "柏U-18のGK小久保玲央ブライアンが"縁ある"ベンフィカに加入". ゲキサカ. 26 January 2019.
- ^ "Japan edge Uzbekistan to lift second title". AFC. 4 May 2024.
- ^ "Japan lay down Olympic marker". FIFA. 4 May 2024.
- ^ Leo Kokubo at Soccerway
- ^ Vaza, Marco (9 August 2023). "Benfica soube mudar para ganhar a Supertaça". Público (in Portuguese). Retrieved 9 August 2023.
 | ||