Japan attacker Takefusa Kubo is in line to make his Champions League debut next season after Real Sociedad qualified for Europe's premier club competition for the first time in a decade on Sunday.

Sociedad secured fourth place in Spanish La Liga with a game to spare despite a 2-1 defeat away to Atletico Madrid as fifth-placed Villarreal also lost by the same scoreline away to Rayo Vallecano to remain five points behind.

Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo (C) celebrates with his teammates after securing a place in next season's Champions League following their Spanish La Liga match against Atletico Madrid at Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid on May 28, 2023. (Kyodo)

"I'm happy. The result doesn't matter today, it's all about booking the CL berth," said the 21-year-old, who has bagged nine goals in his fourth season in La Liga -- the most scored by a Japanese in a single Spanish top-flight campaign.

"It's been really fulfilling. I wouldn't mind giving myself 90 (out of 100)," added the playmaker of his season so far.

Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi was confirmed as this season's Scottish Premiership top scorer with 27 goals after all its fixtures were completed.

In his second season at the club, the 28-year-old Japan forward played in 36 matches to propel the Glasgow side to their second straight league title and was named the league's Player of the Year.

Japan attacker Keito Nakamura grabbed his 14th league goal in Austria, placing the fourth-minute opener as LASK beat Austria Vienna 3-1 at home.

In the Dutch Eredivisie, Paris Olympic hopeful Koki Saito came on at half-time and scored for the third straight game as Sparta Rotterdam hammered Groningen 5-0 away from home.

Saito drove into the box and slotted into the bottom right corner in the 58th minute, taking his season's tally to seven goals.


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