Tomoyuki Sakai facts for kids
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Tomoyuki Sakai | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 29 June 1979 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Misato, Saitama, Japan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1995–1997 | JEF United Ichihara | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1997–2000 | JEF United Ichihara | 92 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001–2003 | Nagoya Grampus Eight | 74 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2007 | Urawa Reds | 50 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2008 | Vissel Kobe | 10 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009 | Fujieda MYFC | 18 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–2011 | Pelita Jaya | 11 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | Persiwa Wamena | 12 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2012 | Persiram Raja Ampat | 33 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | Deltras Sidoarjo | 0 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 300 | (17) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1994–1995 | Japan U-17 | 3 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1998–1999 | Japan U-20 | 7 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | Japan U-23 | 4 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | Japan | 1 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tomoyuki Sakai (酒井 友之, Sakai Tomoyuki, born 29 June 1979) is a former Japanese football player. He was a midfielder who played for many different clubs and also represented his country on the Japan national team.
Contents
Playing for Clubs
Tomoyuki Sakai was born in Misato, Japan, on June 29, 1979. He started his professional football journey with JEF United Ichihara in 1997. He had been part of their youth team before joining the main squad.
Early Career at JEF United
From his very first season, Tomoyuki Sakai played in many matches. He was often a defensive midfielder, helping to protect his team's goal. He stayed with JEF United Ichihara until 2000.
Moving to New Teams
In 2001, Sakai moved to Nagoya Grampus Eight. Here, he played not only as a defensive midfielder but also sometimes as a right midfielder. After 2003, he started playing less often.
He then joined Urawa Reds in 2004. Even though he didn't play in every game, his team had great success. They finished second in the J1 League in 2004 and 2005. Urawa Reds also won the Emperor's Cup in 2005 and 2006. In 2007, they won the AFC Champions League, a big tournament for Asian clubs.
Later Career and Retirement
In July 2007, Sakai moved to Vissel Kobe. He later played for Fujieda MYFC in 2009. From 2010, he played for several clubs in Indonesia, including Pelita Jaya, Persiwa Wamena, and Persiram Raja Ampat. He finished his playing career in 2013 with Deltras Sidoarjo.
Playing for Japan
Tomoyuki Sakai also represented Japan in international football. He played for different youth national teams before making it to the senior team.
Youth National Teams
In August 1995, Sakai was chosen for the Japan U-17 national team. He played in all three matches at the 1995 FIFA U-17 World Championship.
Later, in April 1999, he joined the Japan U-20 national team. He played in all seven matches at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship. Japan's team did very well, finishing in second place in the tournament.
Olympic Games and Senior Team Debut
In September 2000, Sakai was part of the Japan U-23 national team for the 2000 Summer Olympics. He played in all four matches during the tournament. Japan reached the quarterfinals, where they played against the United States. The game ended in a 2-2 tie, and the United States won in a penalty shootout.
On December 20, 2000, Tomoyuki Sakai played his first game for the senior Japan national team. This match was against South Korea.
Awards and Achievements
Tomoyuki Sakai achieved several honors during his football career.
Club Achievements
- J1 League:
- Winner: 2006 (with Urawa Reds)
- Emperor's Cup:
- Winner: 2005, 2006 (with Urawa Reds)
- AFC Champions League:
- Winner: 2007 (with Urawa Reds)
International Achievements
- FIFA World Youth Championship:
- Runner-up: 1999 (with Japan U-20)
See also
In Spanish: Tomoyuki Sakai para niños
