Kengo Nakamura

is a former Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.

Kengo Nakamura

Nakamura playing for Kawasaki Frontale
Personal information
Full name	Kengo Nakamura
Date of birth	(1980-10-31) October 31, 1980
Place of birth	Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing position	Midfielder
Youth career
1996–1998	Kurume High School
1999–2002	Chuo University
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2003–2020	Kawasaki Frontale	546	(83)
Total		546	(83)
National team
2006–2013	Japan	68	(6)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Biography

Nakamura was born in Kodaira on October 31, 1980. After graduating from Chuo University, he joined J2 League club Kawasaki Frontale in 2003. He became a regular player as offensive midfielder from first season. In 2004, he was converted to defensive midfielder by manager Takashi Sekizuka. The club won the champions in the 2004 J2 League and was promoted to J1 League. The club won the 2nd place in 2006, 2008 and 2009. He was also selected Best Eleven for 5 years in a row (2006-2010). In 2016, the club won the 3rd place and he was selected MVP award. In 2017, the club won the J1 League champions first time in the club history. The club also won the champions in 2018 and 2020. He retired end of the 2020 season at the age of 40.

On October, 2006, Nakamura debuted for the Japan national team against Ghana. After the debut, he played many matches as offensive midfielder and defensive midfielder. In 2007, he participated at 2007 AFC Asian Cup and played all 6 matches. However his opportunity to play decreased from spring 2010. He was selected Japan for 2010 World Cup and played 1 matches as substitute midfielder. In 2013, he played at 2013 Confederations Cup. This tournament is his last match for Japan. He played 68 games and scored 6 goals for Japan until 2013.

Statistics

Club performance			League		Cup		League Cup		Continental		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Japan			League		Emperor's Cup		J. League Cup		Asia		Total
2003	Kawasaki Frontale	J2 League	34	4	3	2	-		-		37	6
2004			41	5	3	0	-		-		44	5
2005		J1 League	29	2	3	1	6	2	-		38	5
2006			34	10	2	1	10	3	-		46	14
2007			30	4	4	0	3	0	7	3	44	7
2008			34	4	1	0	1	0	-		36	4
2009			32	4	1	0	3	0	9	3	45	7
2010			27	4	1	0	3	1	3	0	34	5
2011			30	4	1	0	2	0	-		33	4
2012			34	5	1	0	2	0	-		37	5
2013			29	7	2	0	5	2	-		36	9
2014			30	3	0	0	2	0	8	2	40	5
2015			33	2	3	0	6	0	-		42	2
2016			31	9	4	0	2	0	-		37	9
2017			32	6	2	0	4	0	9	1	47	7
2018			33	6	2	0	2	0	2	0	39	6
2019			20	2	2	0	2	0	3	0	27	2
2020			13	2	1	0	0	0	-		14	2
Country	Japan		546	83	36	4	53	8	41	9	676	104
Total			546	83	36	4	53	8	41	9	676	104

Japan national team
Year	Apps	Goals
2006	3	1
2007	13	0
2008	13	2
2009	12	2
2010	11	0
2011	4	1
2012	7	0
2013	5	0
Total	68	6