Kobe defender Gotoku Sakai speaks on the soon-to-start J League

Vissel Kobe defender Gotoku Sakai said he is happy to be back on the pitch after the second day of team's group training session on Wednesday in Kobe.

Sakai had tested positive with the coronavirus earlier, becoming first J.League player to be infected.

The 29-year-old former Japanese national team player left German side Hamburg SV and joined Vissel Kobe last year.

The team's practices had been suspended as a countermeasure against the coronavirus, but following the lifting of the state of emergency in Kobe, the squad resumed their training on Monday.

The training was conducted behind closed doors under strict social distancing measures.

The J League is expected to announce new schedule for the 2020 season on Friday.

(Image: @domesoccer/Twitter)