His jersey number 21 suggests that he belongs to the Prime League, but Taisuke Akiyoshi is already cementing a first-team spot in the senior squad.

The Japanese midfielder made a stunning debut in the AFC Champions League qualifier against Sriwijaya in January where he scored the first goal and earned a penalty for the second goal.

And he has not looked back since. He has started in every game for the Warriors this season. 

Despite language difficulties, Akiyoshi is fast settling down into life in the fast lane.

Not bad for the former Albirex Niigata (S) player who made his S-League debut in 2008 after graduating from Luther High School. He turns only 21 next month.

Akiyoshi had an invitation to train with the Albirex's J-League side at the end of last season, but he turned it down although it means being separated from his university girlfriend.

He said: "The main reason is that SAFFC are playing in the AFC Champions League, and I'd love to experience life in other countries."

With technology, language is no longer a barrier. At his suggestion, questions were sent to him through e-mail.

He then translated and answered them in Japanese before translating the replies back into English.

Again, thanks to the Internet, he is able to talk to his girlfriend through Skype. The conversations last between one and two hours a day, he said.

Sacrifice

For a player at the start of his footballing career, being separated from loved ones is a necessary sacrifice.

In his free time, Akiyoshi enjoys shopping, reading and listening to music. On his day off, he can sometimes be found sipping coffee in Orchard Road or Marina area. He also enjoys reading and likes to listen to songs by singers like Kiyokiba Syunsuke. "Ima (Japanese for Now) by him is one of my favourite songs," he said.

Like other footballers, Akiyoshi has dreams of making it in Europe and playing for his national team one day.

When Akiyoshi was 11, he was introduced to the game by his elder brother, who still plays the game as a hobby. 

Two years later, Akiyoshi's fire would be stoked when the World Cup was played in Japan and Korea in 2002. Then, he dreamt that he would wear the trademark blue Nippon jersey one day. 

Another virtuoso performance in the AFC Champions League, when the Warriors turn out against J-League champions Gamba Osaka, would certainly go a long way towards realising that dream.

When that day comes, we can all be proud that it's a dream that took shape at the Warriors Arena in the Choa Chu Kang Stadium.