Naoki Matsuda

Naoki Matsuda (松田 直樹, Matsuda Naoki, 14 March 1977 – 4 August 2011)[1] was a Japanese football player, who played as a central defender for the Japanese national team.

Not to be confused with Naoki Matsudo.

Naoki Matsuda
松田 直樹
Matsuda with Japan in 2002
Personal information
Full name Naoki Matsuda
Date of birth (1977-03-14)14 March 1977
Place of birth Kiryu, Gunma, Japan
Date of death 4 August 2011(2011-08-04) (aged 34)
Place of death Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
1992–1994 Maebashi Ikuei High School
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–2010 Yokohama F. Marinos 385 (17)
2011 Matsumoto Yamaga FC 15 (1)
Total 400 (18)
National team
1993 Japan U-17 4 (1)
1995 Japan U-20 4 (0)
1996–2000 Japan U-23 5 (0)
2000–2005 Japan 40 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Matsuda was born in Kiryu on 14 March 1977. After graduating from high school, he joined Yokohama Marinos (later Yokohama F. Marinos) in 1995. From first season, he became a regular player and played as right back of three defence with Japan national team players Masami Ihara and Norio Omura. The club won the champions in 1995 J1 League. In 2000s, he mainly played as centre back with Yuji Nakazawa or Yuzo Kurihara, also played defensive midfielder. The club won the champions 2001 J.League Cup, 2003 and 2004 J1 League. Although he played as central player of Marinos in 16 seasons, he was sacked end of 2010 season.

Matsuda moved to Japan Football League club Matsumoto Yamaga FC in 2011. Although he played for qualify for promote to J2 League, in 2 August, he collapsed for myocardial infarction during training. On 4 August, he died at the age of 34. His last match against Honda on 23 July was his400th game in the league. At the end of the season, the club won promotion to the J2 League.

National team career

In August 1993, Matsuda was selected Japan U-17 national team for 1993 U-17 World Championship. He played full-time in all 4 matches and scored 1 goal. In April 1995, he was also selected Japan U-20 national team for 1995 World Youth Championship and he played full-time in all 4 matches.

In July 1996, Matsuda was selected Japan U-23 national team for 1996 Summer Olympics and he played full-time in all 3 matches. Although Japan won 2 matches, Japan lost at First round. At this time, Japan won Brazil in first game. It was known as "Miracle of Miami" (マイアミの奇跡) in Japan.

On 5 February 2000, Matsuda debuted for Japan national team against Mexico. After the debut, he played many matches as one of three backs defense. In September, he was selected U-23 Japan for 2000 Summer Olympics 2nd time. However he played only 2 matches instead Koji Nakata got injured in the third game.

In October 2000, Matsuda was selected Japan for 2000 Asian Cup. He played 3 matches and Japan won the champions. In 2001, he was also selected Japan for 2001 Confederations Cup. He played 4 matches and Japan won the 2nd place. At 2002 World Cup, he played full-time in all 4 matches. After 2002 World Cup, he did not play in many matches. He was selected Japan for 2004 Asian Cup. Although Japan won the champions, he played only 5 minutes. On 29 January 2005, he played and scored a goal against Kazakhstan. Although this goal is his first goal for Japan, this game became his last game for Japan. He played 40 games and scored 1 goal for Japan until 2005.[2]

Death

In 2011, Matsuda signed with Matsumoto Yamaga FC, in the Japan Football League.

On 2 August, he collapsed during training due to a cardiac arrest after finishing a 15-minute warmup run, and doctors diagnosed his condition as "extremely severe".[3] Two days later, he died at the age of 34.[4]

Despite releasing him in 2010, his former club Yokohama F. Marinos retired his squad number - 3 - after his death, as an indication of his contribution not only to F.Marinos but to Japan football's development, both at league and international levels.

The funeral was held on 9 August 2011 and attendees included players who once played for Japan and Yokohama F. Marinos.[5]

Club statistics
Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals
Japan League Emperor's Cup J.League Cup Asia Total
1995Yokohama MarinosJ1 League33110--341
199616010112-282
19973122060-392
19981201041-171
1999Yokohama F. MarinosJ1 League2703020-320
20002422130-293
20012901090-390
20022521000-262
20032000050-250
2004241104040331
2005271104140362
20062940093-387
2007812050-151
20083013070-401
200931130102-443
20101912030-241
2011Matsumoto Yamaga FCFootball League151---151
Total 400182418298050628

National team statistics

[2]

Japan national team
YearAppsGoals
2000140
2001100
2002120
200300
200430
200511
Total401

International goals
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.29 January 2005Yokohama, Japan Kazakhstan4–0WinFriendly

Honours


Club

Country

Individual

References
  1. "Naoki Matsuda Bio, Stats, and Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  2. Japan National Football Team Database
  3. "Matsuda still in danger a day after cardiac arrest". Fox Soccer. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  4. "Former Japan international Naoki Matsuda dies". Fox News Latino. 4 August 2011. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 August 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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