Naoki Matsuda facts for kids
Matsuda with Japan in 2002
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 14 March 1977 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Kiryu, Gunma, Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | 4 August 2011 (aged 34) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of death | Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.83 m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Centre-back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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Naoki Matsuda (born March 14, 1977 – died August 4, 2011) was a famous Japanese professional footballer. He played as a central defender, which means he was a key player who helped protect his team's goal. Matsuda was well-known for playing with the Japan national team.
Contents
Club Football Journey
Naoki Matsuda was born in Kiryu, Japan. He started his professional football career in 1995. He joined a team called Yokohama Marinos. This team later became known as Yokohama F. Marinos.
Right from his first season, Matsuda became a regular player. He played as a right back, working with other national team players. His team, Yokohama Marinos, won the championship in the 1995 J1 League.
In the 2000s, Matsuda mostly played as a central defender. He also sometimes played as a defensive midfielder. His team continued to be very successful. They won the 2001 J.League Cup and the J1 League championships in 2003 and 2004.
Matsuda was a central player for Yokohama F. Marinos for 16 seasons. He played many important games for them. However, at the end of the 2010 season, he left the club.
In 2011, Matsuda joined a new team, Matsumoto Yamaga FC. This team was in the Japan Football League. He played 15 games for them and scored 1 goal. His last match was on July 23, which was his 400th game in the league. Sadly, he collapsed during training on August 2 and passed away two days later at age 34. His team later earned promotion to the J2 League.
Playing for Japan
Naoki Matsuda also had a great career playing for Japan's national teams.
Youth National Teams
In August 1993, Matsuda was chosen to play for the Japan U-17 national team. He played in all four matches at the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Championship and scored one goal.
In April 1995, he joined the Japan U-20 national team. He played all four matches in the 1995 FIFA World Youth Championship.
Olympic Games and Senior Team
In July 1996, Matsuda was part of the Japan U-23 national team for the 1996 Summer Olympics. He played in all three matches. Japan won two games, including a famous victory against Brazil. This win is known as the "Miracle of Miami" in Japan.
Matsuda made his debut for the senior Japan national team on February 5, 2000, against Mexico. He became a regular player in Japan's defense. In September 2000, he played in the 2000 Summer Olympics for the second time.
In October 2000, Matsuda helped Japan win the Asian Cup. In 2001, Japan finished second in the Confederations Cup, with Matsuda playing in four matches. He also played in all four matches for Japan at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
His last game for Japan was on January 29, 2005, against Kazakhstan. In this game, he scored his first and only goal for the national team. Overall, he played 40 games for Japan and scored 1 goal.
Remembering Naoki Matsuda
On August 2, 2011, Naoki Matsuda collapsed during training with his team, Matsumoto Yamaga FC. He passed away two days later, at the age of 34.
Even though his former club, Yokohama F. Marinos, had released him in 2010, they decided to retire his jersey number 3 after his death. This was a special way to honor his huge contributions to the club and to Japanese football.
His funeral was held on August 9, 2011. Many players who had played with him for Japan and Yokohama F. Marinos attended to pay their respects.
Achievements and Awards
Naoki Matsuda won many awards and championships during his career:
With Yokohama F. Marinos
- J1 League: 1995, 2003, 2004
- J.League Cup: 2001
With Japan National Team
- FIFA Confederations Cup: Runner-up in 2001
- AFC Asian Cup: Winner in 2000, 2004
Individual Awards
- J.League Best XI: 2000, 2002
- J.League 20th Anniversary Team
Images for kids
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Matsuda with Japan in 2002
See also
In Spanish: Naoki Matsuda para niños
