Keita Suzuki (footballer, born 1981) facts for kids
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Keita Suzuki | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 8 July 1981 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shimizu FC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tokai University Daiichi Junior High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1997–1999 | Tokai University Daiichi High School | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2015 | Urawa Reds | 379 | (10) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2008 | Japan | 28 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Keita Suzuki (鈴木 啓太, Suzuki Keita, born 8 July 1981) is a former Japanese football player. He played as a Midfielder and was known for his strong defensive skills. Keita Suzuki played for the Japan national team. He is also a cousin of fellow football player Koki Mizuno. His wife is the Japanese actress Hiroko Hatano.
Contents
Keita Suzuki's Club Career Highlights
Keita Suzuki started his professional football journey with Urawa Reds in 2000. This team was part of the J2 League at the time. His very first game as a professional was in the Emperor's Cup on December 3, 2000.
Becoming a Star at Urawa Reds
By 2001, Keita Suzuki became a key player for Urawa Reds. He helped the club win the J1 League championship in 2006. Because of his great performance, he was chosen as one of the best players in the league, making the J.League Best XI team that year.
In 2007, Keita Suzuki and Urawa Reds achieved even more success. They won the AFC Champions League, which is a big tournament for clubs in Asia. They also finished third in the FIFA Club World Cup that year. Keita Suzuki's excellent play earned him the Japanese Footballer of the Year award in 2007.
Retirement from Football
Keita Suzuki played many games for Urawa Reds every season. However, in 2015, he had fewer chances to play. In October 2015, he announced that he would be leaving Urawa Reds at the end of the season. After the final game of the 2015 regular season in November, he announced his retirement from football. He spent his entire professional club career playing for Urawa Reds.
Keita Suzuki's National Team Journey
Keita Suzuki also played for his country, Japan. He was the captain of the Japan U-23 national team. He led the team during the qualifying games for the 2004 Summer Olympics. Even though he was a strong leader, he was not chosen for the final Olympic team.
Playing for the Senior Japan Team
The manager of the Japan national team, Ivica Osim, thought very highly of Keita Suzuki. He gave Keita his first chance to play for the senior national team on August 9, 2006. This was in a friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago.
Keita Suzuki was a very important player for manager Osim. He was the only player who started all 20 matches while Osim was the manager. Osim even compared him to a famous French defensive midfielder, Claude Makélélé. Keita Suzuki played 28 games for Japan's national team between 2006 and 2008.
Keita Suzuki's Football Honours
Keita Suzuki won many awards and championships during his career.
Japan National Team Honours
- Afro-Asian Cup of Nations: 1
- 2007
Club Honours with Urawa Red Diamonds
- J1 League: 1
- 2006
- J1 League First Stage: 1
- 2015
- Emperor's Cup: 2
- 2005, 2006
- J.League Cup: 1
- 2003
- AFC Champions League: 1
- 2007
- Japanese Super Cup: 1
- 2006
Individual Awards
- Japanese Footballer of the Year: 1
- 2007
- J.League Best XI: 2
- 2006, 2007
See also
In Spanish: Keita Suzuki para niños
