Atsuo Watanabe facts for kids

Atsuo Watanabe (渡辺 敦夫, Watanabe Atsuo, born April 15, 1974) is a former Japanese football player. He played as a defender, which means he helped protect his team's goal.

Atsuo Watanabe's Football Journey

Early Life and College Years

Atsuo Watanabe was born in Tokyo, Japan, on April 15, 1974. He loved football from a young age. He played for Funabashi High School from 1990 to 1992. After high school, he continued to play football while studying at Nihon University from 1993 to 1996.

Joining a Professional Team

After finishing his studies at Nihon University, Atsuo Watanabe joined a professional football club. In 1997, he became a player for Urawa Reds. This team plays in the J1 League, which is Japan's top football league.

Playing for Urawa Reds

When Atsuo Watanabe first joined Urawa Reds in 1997, he did not play in any official matches. However, he worked hard. In April 1998, he made his big debut. He played many games as a central defender during the 1998 season. A central defender is a key player who helps stop the other team from scoring goals.

In 1999, Atsuo Watanabe did not play as often. That year was tough for the Urawa Reds team. They were moved down to a lower division, the J2 League. This means they had to play against teams in a different league.

Retirement from Football

At the end of the 1999 season, Atsuo Watanabe made a big decision. He decided to retire from playing professional football. He finished his career having played 16 official games for Urawa Reds.

Images for kids

• 

  Learn more about Atsuo Watanabe in Spanish! Click here