Fernando Torres is up and running in Japan
The former Liverpool and Chelsea striker left boyhood club Atletico Madrid in the summer to sign for J-League side, Sagan Tosu. Having failed to score in his first six appearances for his new club, Torres finally managed his first goal for them in their Emperor’s Cup game against Andres Iniesta’s Vissel Kobe.
His team already leading through an own goal after half an hour and Kazuki Anzai’s second-half strike, Torres added a third in the 84th minute to seal victory. The ball laid off to him inside the area, the 34-year-old calmly steers the ball in off the far post with his right instep.
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Iniesta, Torres’ former teammate in the Spanish national side was unable to inspire his side to victory in the game after recently scoring his first goals since leaving Barcelona at the end of last season.
After the game, Torres shared a picture of the pair together on his Instagram page, noting how they had played in the same Spanish junior side as 15 years old.
‘Football leaves you these good moments,’ he wrote. ‘We started playing together at 15 years old in the national team. We have shared some of the best moments in our careers and today we return to see each other in Japan.
‘Always a pleasure to see you my friend @andresiniesta8‘
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmyIBMrjaII/?taken-by=fernandotorres
Despite their victory in the cup, Sagan Tosu remain in the relegation zone with 11 games of the J-League season still to play. Iniesta’s side are currently fourth, 13 points adrift of league leaders Sanfrecce.
Prior to finalising his move to Japan, Torres is thought to have had offers from clubs in Major League Soccer as well as from Newcastle United and Rangers, where former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard is now manager.
