Target Scouting has partnered with Hudl and Statsbomb to utilize their On-Ball Value Model and Physical Data in our reports.

Kanta Sekitomi is a 20-year-old Japanese left-back for Yokohama F. Marinos in the J1 League. He has accrued 396 minutes over 7 appearances to date in the 2026 Special Season. In 2025, he made his professional debut late on, making his first cameo off the bench in September before starting 4 of the final 5 matches, receiving his first career booking in the finale. The Kashiwa Reysol Academy and Toin University of Yokohama product currently represents Japan at U23 level (6 caps). 

Physically, Sekitomi already has a senior-ready frame, having broad shoulders and being pretty muscular. Additionally, he is above average height (1.77 m) for his position, especially in the AFC region. He can still afford to get stronger, as he does not always come out on top in ground duels despite his physical nature, but his build is promising. In terms of athleticism, Sekitomi has an explosive first step to give him elite acceleration, whether pressing forward early or turning to recover. Alongside that explosiveness and sharp change of direction, he has long strides to easily glide down the flank on recoveries, where he easily runs down carriers and runners. Aerially, his explosiveness translates to jumping that allows him to play bigger than his size and win duels from disadvantageous positioning, all while bringing timing to the table to consistently get his head to it first (62% of Aerials Won – 76^th percentile). His technique on headers still needs improvement to get proper direction on them. 

Sekitomi is a defensive full-back who typically stays back when attacking, with his focus on the out of possession elements of the game. Though his Tackles & Interceptions per 90 are low at 2.3 (8^th percentile), it is not necessarily a negative—it is more a symptom of the way he approaches defending. Sekitomi has the athletic traits and instincts to anticipate passing and consistently get tight to his marker, whether into a duel on a high pressing trigger or isolated 1v1 out wide. He does not lunge in despite how physical he can get with his opponent, keeping play in front of him and not forcing tackles, only occasionally being dribbled past by skill or strength (78^th percentile in Tackle/Dribble Past %). If he is unable to get tight into the 1v1 to end a recovery run, his positioning could be better to get a block, but he still cuts off enough crossing angle for his adjacent centre-back to have an easy near-post clearance. These factors combine for a middling Defensive Action (DA) OBV (On-Ball Value) of 0.03 (55^th percentile). If Sekitomi can become more confident in his on-ball defending, his fundamentals and aggression give him the potential to be a reliable wide defender in J1 and beyond. Another note on his defending is his low number of Pressures at 10.4 per 90 (27^th percentile), which contradicts the style he plays with as a full-back who presses up the flank during the opposition’s initial buildup. Most of the pressure he applies is in the zone at and just below the midline, getting tight before the reception to sometimes deny service. On the flip side, his read of the game is inconsistent and too reliant on instincts, putting him out of shape at times when stepping up, leaving space in behind, and forcing him into recoveries. This is another piece of his repertoire to sharpen that would not only positively affect his DA OBV but also increase his Pressures, too. 

In possession, his defensive focus helps to disguise his weaknesses as an attacker. His on-ball technique is shaky, and he needs to grow confidence in it. Sekitomi must release the ball more quickly, as pressure greatly decreases his quality on-ball. He seemingly rushes his ground distribution when pressured and is not confident enough in his scanning, too often hesitating before the release, leading to mistimed passes and overhitting long and line-breaking attempts (only 3.4 Deep Progressions per 90 – 14^th percentile). Another factor contributing to his middling and not negative Pass OBV of 0.15 (56^th percentile) is the limited touches he gets in the direct, long-ball buildup style that Yokohama plays. This also helps Sekitomi limit turnovers (0.8 per 90 in the 78^th percentile), despite his subpar on-ball technique. A final note on his in possession skillset is that he hardly ever carries the ball, leading to a poor Dribble & Carry (D&C) OBV of 0.042 (16^th percentile). 

Sekitomi sports an overall OBV of 0.22, in the top 20 amongst qualified U23 players in J1 since last season. His ceiling may be limited by his attacking acumen, but the system he currently plays in allows him to thrive on his defensive strengths. Not yet 21, there is still plenty of room for him to grow, particularly with sharpening his decision-making, both in and out of possession. Sekitomi has a long career ahead of him at his highest domestic level, though the intensity and physicality he brings to the table could be attractive to a German 2. Bundesliga or 3. Liga club.