Kashima Antlers midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara has been named the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League Monthly MVP for June 2016 following a terrific performance in helping his team to win the 2016 J1 League First Stage.

Ogasawara’s biggest performance was arguably in the Round 15 matches against Urawa Reds, in which he stopped several key goal-scoring opportunities and made eight of his 13 tackles in June.

“I’m honoured to receive this reward, but football is a team sport, not an individual one,” Ogasawara commented. 

“We didn’t win because of 11 players, but also because of our substitutes, the players who didn’t make the squad, and the daily efforts of our staff.

“I accept this award on behalf of our team and our supporters, but at the end of the season I hope we can win an even bigger trophy as a club.”