Yūhei Tokunaga facts for kids
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Yuhei Tokunaga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 25 September 1983 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Unzen, Nagasaki, Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2001 | Kunimi High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2005 | Waseda University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003–2004 | FC Tokyo | 14 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2017 | FC Tokyo | 382 | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018–2020 | V-Varen Nagasaki | 68 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003 | Japan U-20 | 5 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 | Japan U-23 | 2 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | Japan Olympic (O.P.) | 5 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2013 | Japan | 9 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of end of 2018 season | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Yuhei Tokunaga (徳永 悠平, Tokunaga Yūhei, born 25 September 1983) is a Japanese former footballer. He played as a defender during his career.
Yuhei Tokunaga's Club Career
Early Days and FC Tokyo Success
Yuhei Tokunaga was born in Unzen, Japan, on September 25, 1983. While studying at Waseda University, he started playing for J1 League club FC Tokyo in 2003. In 2004, FC Tokyo won the 2004 J.League Cup. This was the club's first major championship title.
After finishing university, Tokunaga officially joined FC Tokyo in 2006. He quickly became a key player as a right-side defender. He played in many matches every season for a long time. Even though his main position was right-back, he could play in many different defensive roles.
More Trophies and Challenges
FC Tokyo won the 2009 J.League Cup with Tokunaga on the team. In 2010, he played as a defensive midfielder for a while. However, FC Tokyo finished 16th out of 18 clubs that year. This meant they were moved down to the J2 League.
In 2011, Tokunaga returned to his usual right-back position. FC Tokyo won the J2 League championship and moved back up to J1 in just one year. They also won the 2011 Emperor's Cup that same year. Tokunaga continued to be a regular right-back until 2017.
Moving to His Hometown Club
In 2018, Tokunaga moved to V-Varen Nagasaki, a club from his home area. V-Varen Nagasaki had just been promoted to the J1 League. He played many games as a right-back in their defense. However, V-Varen Nagasaki finished last in the 2018 season. They were moved back down to J2 after only one year.
Yuhei Tokunaga's National Team Journey
Playing for Japan's Youth Teams
In November 2003, Tokunaga was chosen for the Japan U-20 national team. He played in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. He played every minute of all five matches as a right-side midfielder in that tournament.
Tokunaga was also part of the Japan U-23 national team for the 2004 Summer Olympics. Japan did not make it past the first round. He played two matches as a right-side midfielder and right-back.
Representing the Senior National Team
On October 8, 2009, Tokunaga played his first game for the Japan national team. This was against Hong Kong in a qualification match for the 2011 Asian Cup. He played many games as a right-back for Japan until early 2010. However, he was not chosen for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Olympic Return and East Asian Cup Win
In July 2012, Tokunaga was selected for the Japan U-23 national team again. He was one of the older players allowed to join the team for the 2012 Summer Olympics. He played five matches as a left-side defender. Japan reached the semi-finals but lost to Mexico. They then lost the bronze medal match to South Korea.
In July 2013, Tokunaga was chosen for the Japan national team once more. This was for the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup. He played two matches as a left-side defender. Japan won the championship in this tournament. This was his last game for Japan. He played a total of nine games for his country until 2013.
Honours
Japan National Team
- EAFF East Asian Cup (1): 2013
Club Achievements
- FC Tokyo
- J2 League (1): 2011
- Emperor's Cup (1): 2011
- J.League Cup (2): 2004, 2009
See also
In Spanish: Yūhei Tokunaga para niños
