Toshihide Saito facts for kids
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | April 20, 1973 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.82 m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Defender | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1989–1991 | Shimizu Higashi High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996–2006 | Shimizu S-Pulse | 244 | (16) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2008 | Shonan Bellmare | 84 | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2013 | Fujieda MYFC | 57 | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 385 | (26) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996–1999 | Japan | 17 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Teams managed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–2013 | Fujieda MYFC (player/manager) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2017 | Japan U17 (assistant coach) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018– | Japan (assistant coach) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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Toshihide Saito (斉藤 俊秀, Saitō Toshihide, born April 20, 1973) is a Japanese former football player and manager. He was born on April 20, 1973, in Shizuoka, Japan. Saito played as a defender for several clubs. He also represented the Japan national team. After retiring as a player, he became a coach. Currently, he works as an assistant coach for the Japan national team.
Contents
Playing Career: Toshihide Saito's Club Journey
Toshihide Saito began his professional football career in 1996. He joined his hometown club, Shimizu S-Pulse, after finishing university. He quickly became a key player for the team.
Shimizu S-Pulse: Early Success and Awards
Saito played for Shimizu S-Pulse from 1996 to 2006. In his first year, the club won the 1996 J.League Cup. Saito received the New Hero award for his great performance. He was also named the J.League Rookie of the Year at the end of 1996.
The club continued to achieve success during his time there. They finished second in the 1998 Emperor's Cup. In 1999, Shimizu S-Pulse was the runner-up in the J1 League. Saito's excellent play earned him a spot in the J.League Best Eleven that year.
In the early 2000s, Shimizu S-Pulse won the 1999–2000 Asian Cup Winners' Cup. They also lifted the 2001 Emperor's Cup trophy. Saito was a big part of these victories.
Moving to New Teams: Shonan Bellmare and Fujieda MYFC
In 2006, Saito moved to Shonan Bellmare, a club in the J2 League. He played there for two seasons.
In 2009, Saito took on a new challenge. He became a player-manager for Fujieda MYFC. This team was in the Prefectural Leagues at the time. He helped the club get promoted to the Japan Football League in 2011. Fujieda MYFC was then accepted into the J3 League for the 2014 season. After this success, Saito decided to leave the club.
International Career: Representing Japan
Toshihide Saito played for the Japan national team from 1996 to 1999. He made 17 appearances for his country.
His first game for Japan was on August 25, 1996. It was a friendly match against Uruguay. The game took place at Osaka Nagai Stadium.
Saito was part of the Japan squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Although he was on the team, he did not play in any matches. He also played in the 1999 Copa América tournament.
Career Achievements: Toshihide Saito's Honors
Toshihide Saito won several important titles during his career. He also received individual awards for his skills.
Team Honors
- Emperor's Cup: 2001
- J.League Cup: 1996
- Japanese Super Cup: 2001, 2002
- Asian Cup Winner's Cup: 2000
Individual Awards
- J.League Rookie of the Year: 1996
- J.League Best XI: 1999
See also
In Spanish: Toshihide Saitō para niños
