Seigo Narazaki facts for kids
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Seigo Narazaki | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 15 April 1976 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Kashiba, Nara, Japan | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1992–1994 | Nara Ikuei High School | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1995–1998 | Yokohama Flügels | 104 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2018 | Nagoya Grampus | 556 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 660 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | Japan Olympic (O.P.) | 4 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1998–2010 | Japan | 77 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Seigo Narazaki (楢﨑 正剛, Narazaki Seigō, born 15 April 1976) is a famous Japanese former professional football player. He was a goalkeeper, which means he was the player who protects the goal. Narazaki played for the Japan national football team and is known for having the second-highest number of appearances in the history of the J.League, Japan's top football league. He played in 631 J.League matches during his career.
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Seigo Narazaki's Club Journey
Seigo Narazaki had a long and successful career playing for two main clubs in Japan.
Playing for Yokohama Flügels
After finishing high school in 1995, Narazaki joined a team called Yokohama Flügels in the J1 League. In August 1995, the team's main goalkeeper was suspended. This gave Narazaki a chance to play, and he made his debut on August 16, 1995. He quickly became the team's regular goalkeeper.
In the 1996 J.League season, his team, Flügels, finished in third place. Narazaki was recognized for his great skills and was chosen for the "Best Eleven" award, which honors the best players in the league. He also helped his team win the 1998 Emperor's Cup, a major football tournament in Japan. Sadly, the Yokohama Flügels team was later combined with another team and stopped existing at the end of 1998.
Time with Nagoya Grampus
In 1999, Narazaki moved to a new team called Nagoya Grampus. He even brought a teammate from Flügels with him. In his first year with Nagoya Grampus, they won the 1999 Emperor's Cup. This was Narazaki's second time winning this cup in two years!
In 2008, a new manager named Dragan Stojković joined Nagoya Grampus. Under his leadership, the team finished third in the 2008 J.League Division 1. Narazaki again received the "Best Eleven" award for his excellent performance.
The biggest moment came in 2010 when Nagoya Grampus won the 2010 J.League Division 1 title for the very first time in the club's history. Narazaki made history too, becoming the first goalkeeper ever to win the J.League Most Valuable Player award. This award goes to the best player in the entire league.
In 2016, Nagoya Grampus faced a tough season and was moved down to the J2 League, which is the second division. However, they worked hard and returned to the top league in 2017. In his final years, Narazaki played less often as younger goalkeepers took his place.
Seigo Narazaki officially announced his retirement from football on January 8, 2019, when he was 42 years old.
Representing Japan
Seigo Narazaki also had a very important career playing for his country, Japan.
Early International Matches
Narazaki played his first international match for the Japan national football team on February 15, 1998, against Australia. For about 10 years, he often competed with another great goalkeeper, Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, for the starting position on the national team.
He was chosen to be part of Japan's squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. However, Kawaguchi was the one who played in all of Japan's matches during that tournament.
Olympic and World Cup Experiences
In 2000, Narazaki was selected to play for the Japan national under-23 football team in the 2000 Summer Olympics. He played every minute of all four matches for the team.
He played many matches for Japan in 2002. At the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which was held in Japan and South Korea, Narazaki played in all four of Japan's matches. Japan made history by reaching the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time ever!
Later International Career
Narazaki continued to be Japan's regular goalkeeper until mid-2004. He was selected for the 2004 AFC Asian Cup, but he couldn't play due to an injury. His rival, Kawaguchi, played wonderfully at that tournament, and Japan won the championship. After this, Narazaki lost his regular starting spot to Kawaguchi.
Narazaki was also part of Japan's squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but he did not play in any matches.
In 2008, Narazaki became the regular goalkeeper again because Kawaguchi was injured. Narazaki was chosen for the 2010 FIFA World Cup squad. He was one of only two Japanese players (the other being Kawaguchi) to be selected for four World Cups in a row! Even though he played very well in the qualifying matches, he was a substitute during the tournament, with Eiji Kawashima playing instead.
Narazaki played his last game for Japan on September 7, 2010, when he was the team captain in a 2–1 victory against Guatemala. After this, he retired from playing for the national team. He played a total of 77 games for Japan.
Honors and Awards
Seigo Narazaki won many awards and championships during his football career.
Club Achievements
Yokohama Flügels
- Emperor's Cup: 1998
Nagoya Grampus
- J1 League: 2010
- Emperor's Cup: 1999
- Japanese Super Cup: 2011
International Achievements
Japan
- AFC Asian Cup: 2004
Individual Awards
- J.League Most Valuable Player: 2010
- J.League Best Eleven: 1996, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2011
See also
In Spanish: Seigō Narazaki para niños
