Tomoyuki Sakai

Tomoyuki Sakai (酒井 友之, Sakai Tomoyuki, born 29 June 1979) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.

Tomoyuki Sakai
酒井 友之
Personal information
Full name Tomoyuki Sakai
Date of birth (1979-06-29) 29 June 1979
Place of birth Misato, Saitama, Japan
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1995–1997 JEF United Ichihara
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2000 JEF United Ichihara 92 (3)
2001–2003 Nagoya Grampus Eight 74 (5)
2004–2007 Urawa Reds 50 (3)
2007–2008 Vissel Kobe 10 (0)
2009 Fujieda MYFC 18 (3)
2010–2011 Pelita Jaya 11 (1)
2011 Persiwa Wamena 12 (0)
2011–2012 Persiram Raja Ampat 33 (2)
2013 Deltras Sidoarjo 0 (0)
Total 300 (17)
National team
1994–1995 Japan U-17 3 (0)
1998–1999 Japan U-20 7 (0)
2000 Japan U-23 4 (0)
2000 Japan 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Sakai was born in Misato on 29 June 1979. He joined JEF United Ichihara from youth team in 1997. He played many matches as defensive midfielder from first season. He moved to Nagoya Grampus Eight in 2001. He also played as right midfielder not only defensive midfielder. His opportunity to play decreased from the middle of 2003. He moved to Urawa Reds in 2004. Although he did not have much opportunity to play, the club won the 2nd place in 2004 and 2005 J1 League and the champions 2005 Emperor's Cup. He moved to Vissel Kobe in July 2007 and Fujieda MYFC in 2009. From 2010, he moved to Indonesia and played for Pelita Jaya, Persiwa Wamena, Persiram Raja Ampat and Deltras Sidoarjo. He retired in 2013.

National team career

In August 1995, Sakai was selected Japan U-17 national team for 1995 U-17 World Championship. He played full-time in all 3 matches. In April 1999, he was also selected Japan U-20 national team for 1999 World Youth Championship. He played full-time in all 7 matches as right midfielder and Japan won the 2nd place.

In September 2000, Sakai was selected Japan U-23 national team for 2000 Summer Olympics who carried high hopes of the nation because Sakai's teammates included such household names as Hidetoshi Nakata, Shunsuke Nakamura and Naohiro Takahara. Sakai played all 4 matches. However, in the team's quarterfinal match, Sakai committed a foul inside his own box at the 90th minute, conceding the United States, Japan's opponents, a crucial penalty to make it 2-2.[1] The United States went on to win the penalty shootouts after 120 minutes of play could not separate the two teams.[1]

On 20 December 2000, Sakai debuted for Japan national team against South Korea.[2]

Club statistics
JapanLeagueEmperor's CupJ.League CupTotal
SeasonClubLeagueAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1997JEF United IchiharaJ1 League1822010212
19982501061321
19992201100231
20002713120322
2001Nagoya Grampus EightJ1 League2531060323
20022913060381
20031710030201
2004Urawa RedsJ1 League1913071292
20051824060282
2006303051111
200700000000
2007Vissel KobeJ1 League1002000120
200800000000
2009Fujieda MYFCPrefectural Leagues83--83
Indonesia League Piala Indonesia League Cup Total
2010/11Pelita JayaSuper League111--111
2010/11Persiwa Wamena120--120
2011/12Persiram Raja Ampat332--332
CountryJapan 2211423242328619
Indonesia 563--563
Total 2771723242334222

Honors and awards

Club honors
Urawa Reds

Country honors

References
  1. "SYDNEY 2000: SOCCER; Trailing Twice, U.S. Beats Japan to Reach Semifinals". The New York Times. 24 September 2000. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  2. Japan National Football Team Database


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