Gotoku Sakai

is a Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team. His brothers Noriyoshi Sakai and Goson Sakai are also footballers.

Gotoku Sakai

Sakai at the 2018 World Cup
Personal information
Full name	Gotoku Sakai
Date of birth	(1991-03-14) March 14, 1991
Place of birth	Niigata, Japan
Height	1.76 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current team	Vissel Kobe
Youth career
2006–2008	Albirex Niigata
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2008–2011	Albirex Niigata	74	(1)
2012–2015	Stuttgart	87	(1)
2015–2019	Hamburger SV	114	(1)
2019–	Vissel Kobe	44	(1)
National team
2012	Japan U-23	4	(0)
2012–2018	Japan	42	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of end of the 2020 season

Biography

Sakai was born in Niigata Prefecture on March 14, 1991.He joined J1 League club Albirex Niigata from their youth team in 2008. he played many matches from 2009. In January 2012, he moved to German Bundesliga club Stuttgart. He played 87 matches for the club in 4 seasons. In summer 2015, he moved to Hamburger SV. Although he played many matches for the club, the club was relegated to 2. Bundesliga first time in the club history end of the 2017/18 season. In summer 2019, he returned to Japan and joined Vissel Kobe. Kobe won the champions in the 2019 Emperor's Cup which is first major title in the club history.

In 2012, Sakai was selected the Japan U-23 national team for 2012 Summer Olympics. He played 4 matches and Japan won the 4th place. On September 6, 2012, he debuted for the Japan national team against United Arab Emirates. After the debut, he battles with Yuto Nagatomo, Atsuto Uchida and Hiroki Sakai for the left and right side back. He participated 2013 Confederations Cup and 2014 World Cup. However he did not play in the match both tournament. In 2015, he participated 2015 Asian Cup and played 4 matches as right side back. In 2018, he was selected Japan for 2018 World Cup. He played 1 match and Japan qualified to the knockout stage. After the 2018 World Cup, he retired from Japan national team. He played 42 games for Japan until 2018.

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
2008	Albirex Niigata	J1 League	0	0	1	0	0	0	-		1	0
2009			18	0	1	0	4	0	-		23	0
2010			31	0	0	0	2	0	-		33	0
2011			25	1	2	0	3	0	-		30	1
Germany			League		DFB-Pokal		Premiere Ligapokal		Europe		Total
2011/12	Stuttgart	Bundesliga	14	0	0	0	-		-		14	0
2012/13			27	0	4	0	-		10	1	41	1
2013/14			28	0	2	0	-		2	0	32	0
2014/15			18	1	1	0	-		-		19	1
2015/16	Hamburger SV	Bundesliga	22	0	1	0	-		-		23	0
2016/17			33	1	4	0	-		-		37	1
2017/18			28	0	1	0	-		-		29	0
2018/19		2. Bundesliga	31	0	3	0	-		-		34	0
Japan			League		Emperor's Cup		J. League Cup		Asia		Total
2019	Vissel Kobe	J1 League	12	0	4	0	0	0	-		16	0
2020			32	1	-		1	0	6	0	39	1
2021
Country	Japan		118	2	8	0	10	0	6	0	142	2
	Germany		201	2	16	0	-		12	1	229	3
Total			319	4	24	0	10	0	18	1	371	5

Japan national team
Year	Apps	Goals
2012	2	0
2013	9	0
2014	7	0
2015	7	0
2016	7	0
2017	4	0
2018	6	0
Total	42	0