Midfield maestro Yui Hasegawa played a pivotal role in Manchester City's clash with Sunderland in the Continental Cup as her poised, intelligent link-up play gave the hosts control of the middle third in their 3-0 win at the Academy Stadium, on Sunday afternoon.
After the game, manager Gareth Taylor said: "Yui is such an important player, she’s been a real big addition for us, particularly her game understanding and her quality on the ball.
"She helps the team a lot and covers a lot of the ground. I think she's a very, very fit player."
The 25-year-old joined Manchester City from Women's Super League rivals West Ham in the summer and has already delivered a goal in five starts for the club to date.
Taylor said: "Her intelligence is on another level for a player she anticipates so much. Maybe because she’s slighter than other players in terms of stature, but she's so clever in everything she does.
"She opens up a lot of space for other players and her quality on the ball is really good."
Standing just five feet tall, the Japanese international did not relinquish possession once in her holding central midfield role. She commanded the centre circle denying any chance of a Sunderland attack through the middle of the park.
In possession, she pushed the ball from flank to flank taunting the Sunderland nine-player defence to open up. Hasegawa's short passes and technical style brought Filippa Angeldahl, Laia Ouahabi and Julie Blakstad into the game and left the trio causing problems down the visitors' left flank.
Taylor said: "She allows other players within the team to flourish whether it be the centre backs, the two midfielders in front of her, or the fullbacks coming inside - she's so bright."
The midfielder is expected to line up again for City as they take on Brighton and Hove Albion in the WSL on Sunday at the Academy Stadium, ahead of Liverpool in the Continental Cup and the Manchester derby at the Etihad in their penultimate tie before the Christmas break.
