Vissel Kobe defender Gotoku Sakai expressed appreciation Wednesday for the health care workers who helped him make a full recovery after he became infected with the coronavirus."I could leave the hospital healthy and for that I'm really grateful to the medical personnel," Sakai said in an online interview after team practice in Kobe.The former Japan international spoke to the press for the first time since recovering from the pneumonia-causing virus, saying he intends to repay his good fortune on the pitch when the J-League first division resumes.Related coverage:READ FULL ARTICLE