‘One of the best things’ – Frank Lampard reacts as EFL star achieves rare darts feat in first ever throw

Coventry City’s Tatsuhiro Sakamoto may have picked up the wrong sport as a child.

Sakamoto sent his Sky Blues teammates into a frenzy when he hit a 180 on a dressing room dartboard.

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Sakamoto did what many have failed to do at the oche in his first ever attempt…Credit: @Coventry_City – X

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And was deservedly mobbed by his Sky Blues teammatesCredit: @Coventry_City – XBut what made the Japanese flyer’s feat all the more special was the fact he had never played darts in his life.

It may have been beginner’s luck, but for Sakamoto and his Coventry peers, his epic 180 will live long in the memory.

Sky Blues boss Frank Lampard labelled the iconic moment ‘amazing’.

“Tatsuhiro hit a 180 and he doesn’t play and hasn’t practiced,” Lampard said.

Read more football news”It was amazing.”

Veteran defender Jake Bidwell, who witnessed Sakamoto’s darting brilliance, detailed just how special the scenes were.

“[Jamie] Paterson is the oldest player in the dressing room now and he said it is one of the best things he has ever seen in football,” Bidwell said.

“That tells you all you need to know.”

Bidwell added: “He hit two in and then he’s got nervous so he stepped back.

“And then I think it took him about two minutes to throw the last one. It went in and the place went up.

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Sakomoto has been a gem for Lampard on the pitch and on the dartboardCredit: Getty”For someone of Pato’s experience to say it is one of the best things he has ever seen in a dressing room, that paints the picture of how good it was.”

Spirits are evidently high in the Coventry camp as they booked a spot in the Championship play-offs on the final day of the season.

A 2-0 win over promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough saw Lampard’s side finish fifth in the table in front of what was a record attendance at the CBS Arena.

The win and subsequent play-offs berth was just the latest chapter in what has been an incredible resurgence for the club since Lampard took over in mid-November.

When Lampard arrived, Coventry sat 17th and were only two points above the relegation zone.

But now they are just three games away from returning to the bright lights of the Premier League and will face Sunderland, who have lost their last five, in the play-off semi-finals.

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Lampard has turned things around in stunning fashion at Coventry in just a few monthsCredit: GettyDespite the top flight dream being within reach, Lampard refused to get carried away.

Asked if the manner of this play-off place feels different from when he got there with Derby, Lampard said: “No, respectfully no, but in practice, we came in at a pre-season at Derby and worked through the season, stayed in and around the playoffs. 

“So this is different. We came in at 17th in November, so firstly I thank my staff because when you come in you want to make quick impact. Every day they work, support, they’re good at things that I’m not so good at and all those things. 

“And then existing staff and players, to do the uplift from 17th to come fifth and get to the playoffs, it’s a big achievement.

Read More on talkSPORT“But it’s only a start, we’re not over-celebrating here, we’re saying thanks to the fans because they support us all season.

“To make those strides as a club, I think everyone should be happy tonight.”