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) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | 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) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2008 | Japan | 28 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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Keita Suzuki (鈴木 啓太, Suzuki Keita, born 8 July 1981) is a famous former Japanese football player. He was a midfielder, known for his strong play in the middle of the field. Suzuki spent his entire professional club career playing for Urawa Reds, a well-known team in Japan. He also proudly represented his country as part of the Japan national team. His cousin, Koki Mizuno, is also a football player, and his wife is actress Hiroko Hatano.
Contents
Keita Suzuki's Club Journey
Starting with Urawa Reds
After finishing high school, Keita Suzuki joined Urawa Reds in 2000. This team was in the J2 League at the time. His very first game as a professional player was in the Emperor's Cup on December 3, 2000.
Becoming a Key Player
By 2001, Keita became a regular player for Urawa Reds. He was a very important part of their midfield. 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 J.League that year.
Major Wins and Retirement
In 2007, Keita helped Urawa Reds win the AFC Champions League, a big tournament for Asian clubs. They also finished third in the FIFA Club World Cup that year. Keita was even named Japanese Footballer of the Year. He played many games each season for Urawa Reds.
However, in 2015, he played less often. In October, he announced he would leave his only club at the end of the season. After the last game of the 2015 season in November, Keita Suzuki announced he was retiring from football. He played 379 league games and scored 10 goals for Urawa Reds during his career.
Keita Suzuki's National Team Career
Playing for Japan's Youth Team
Keita Suzuki was the captain for the Japan U-23 national team. He led them during the qualifiers for the 2004 Summer Olympics. However, he was not chosen for the final Olympic team. The manager picked an older player instead.
Joining the Senior Japan Team
The manager of the Japan national team, Ivica Osim, thought highly of Keita. He gave Keita his first chance to play for the senior team on August 9, 2006. This was in a friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago.
Keita was a favorite of Osim. He was the only player who started all 20 matches under Osim's leadership. Osim even compared him to a famous French midfielder, Claude Makélélé. Keita played 28 games for Japan until 2008. He scored 2 goals for the U-23 team in international matches.
Honours and Achievements
Keita Suzuki won many awards and championships during his career:
For Japan
- Afro-Asian Cup of Nations: 1
- 2007
For Urawa Red Diamonds Club
- 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
