I'm in the best form of my career, declares record breaker Langerak

Socceroos goalkeeper Mitch Langerak declared he is in the best form of his career after breaking the record for the most clean sheets in a J.League season.

Mitch Langerak

Mitch Langerak's has claimed the record for the most clean sheets in a J.League season Source: J.League

Langerak's 17th shutout of the season gave him the milestone as his Nagoya Grampus side snatched a 1-0 victory over Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

The result ensured Nagoya finished the season in third spot on the ladder to clinch direct entry into the next AFC Champions League.

The former Borussia Dortmund shot-stopper was ever-present and a key man in Nagoya's 34-match campaign that ended with the best defensive record in the competition. 

"To be honest, without question this is the best form I've ever been in," Emerald-born Langerak, 32, said.

"Over the course of my career I have continued to develop and get better and I'm now seeing the fruits of all the work I have put in throughout my career.
"I feel like I'm beginning to enjoy the rewards of, for example, all the hours I stayed back at Dortmund training to do extra work and the shooting practice I was involved in with the boys.

"I have no doubt that I am the best goalkeeper I have ever been right now."

Langerak is obviously delighted to break the record that was held by Urawa Red Diamonds' Shusaku Nishikawa since 2014 but he also is looking at the bigger picture.

"For me to get the highest number of clean sheets in a J.League season is fantastic but I'm also lucky to have the best defence in the league," he explained.

"I like to look at my game as a whole and my overall performance this year has been really good ... very consistent from the first game to the last.

"I've now played 101 games for Nagoya over the past three seasons and this year I have played in every single game.

"My wife (Riahannon) and son (Santiago) presented me with a bouquet of flowers before the game against Sanfrecce which was very nice."

Langerak has been fortunate enough to work with some top goalkeeper coaches since he left Melbourne Victory in 2010 to seek a career abroad.

His journey took him to the bright lights of the Bundesliga where he spent five seasons with Jurgen Klopp's Dortmund but it was John Gorza, his coach at Bundaberg, who left the biggest mark on his career.
"I have had several good coaches in my career but Gorza, who was at Bundaberg when it all started for me, was simply first class," he said.

"He was not only a coach but a mentor for me and has had a massive influence on my career and my life."

Langerak's exploits in goal, that have earned him rave reviews in Japan and made him one of Nagoya's favourite players, have given him another shot at Asia's top competition next season.

"I can't wait to return to the Champions League after having tasted it with Victory in 2008 and 2010," he said.

"I know what it's all about and, fingers crossed, we will get an Australian team in our group and I'll get to play against an A-League club."


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3 min read
Published 20 December 2020 12:05pm
Updated 20 December 2020 12:36pm
By Philip Micallef

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