Yuhei Tokunaga

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

Yuhei Tokunaga

Tokunaga playing for FC Tokyo
Personal information
Full name	Yuhei Tokunaga
Date of birth	(1983-09-25) September 25, 1983
Place of birth	Unzen, Nagasaki, Japan
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position	Defender
Youth career
1999–2001	Kunimi High School
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)
Total		464	(9)
National team
2003	Japan U-20	5	(0)
2004–2012	Japan U-23	7	(0)
2009–2013	Japan	9	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Biography

Tokunaga was born in Unzen on September 25, 1983. When he played for Waseda University, he also played for J1 League club FC Tokyo in 2003 and 2004. FC Tokyo won the champions in 2004 J.League Cup first major title in the club history. After graduating from Waseda University, he joined FC Tokyo in 2006. He became a regular player as right side back as Akira Kaji successor soon and played many matches every season for a long time. Although his original position is right side back, he also played as many defensive position. FC Tokyo won the champions in 2009 J.League Cup. In 2010, he played many matches as defensive midfielder instead Takuji Yonemoto, who was injured. However FC Tokyo finished at the 16th place of 18 clubs in 2010 season and was relegated to J2 League. In 2011, he returned to right side back and FC Tokyo won the champions and was returned to J1 in a year. FC Tokyo also won the champions in 2011 Emperor's Cup. He played as regular right side back until 2017. In 2018, he moved to his local club V-Varen Nagasaki which newly was promoted to J1 from 2018. He played many matches as right back of three backs defense. However V-Varen finished at the bottom place in 2018 season and was relegated to J2 in a year. He retired end of the 2020 season.

In November 2003, Tokunaga was selected the Japan U-20 national team for 2003 World Youth Championship. At this tournament, he played full-time in all 5 matches as right side midfielder. Tokunaga was part of the Japan U-23 national team for 2004 Summer Olympics. He played 2 matches as right side midfielder and right side back.

On October 8, 2009, Tokunaga debuted for the Japan national team against Hong Kong at 2011 Asian Cup qualification under manager Takeshi Okada. He played many matches as right side back while battling with Atsuto Uchida for the position until early 2010. However he was not select for 2010 World Cup.

In July 2012, Tokunaga was selected Japan U-23 national team as over aged player for 2012 Summer Olympics. He played 5 matches as left side back and Japan reached the semi-finals where they lost to eventual gold medalists, Mexico, and then lost the bronze medal play-off match to South Korea. In July 2013, Tokunaga was selected Japan under manager Alberto Zaccheroni for 2013 East Asian Cup for the first time in 3 years. At the tournament, he played 2 matches as left side back and Japan won the champions. This tournament is his last game for Japan. He played 9 games 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	FC Tokyo	J1 League	8	0	0	0	2	0	-		10	0
2004			6	0	0	0	4	0	-		10	0
2006			32	1	2	0	5	0	-		39	1
2007			33	0	3	0	7	0	-		43	0
2008			30	1	4	0	8	0	-		42	1
2009			34	0	0	0	10	0	-		44	0
2010			30	0	5	0	7	0	-		42	0
2011		J2 League	37	3	6	0	-		-		43	3
2012		J1 League	31	1	0	0	2	0	7	1	40	2
2013			34	1	5	0	5	0	-		44	1
2014			34	0	3	0	3	1	-		40	1
2015			33	0	2	0	7	0	-		42	0
2016			30	0	1	0	2	0	7	0	40	0
2017			24	0	1	0	7	0	-		32	0
2018	V-Varen Nagasaki	J1 League	27	0	2	0	0	0	-		29	0
2019		J2 League	31	1	1	0	2	0	-		34	1
2020			10	1	-		-		-		10	1
Country	Japan		464	9	35	0	71	1	14	1	1	0	584	11
Total			464	9	35	0	71	1	14	1	1	0	584	11

Japan national team
Year	Apps	Goals
2009	5	0
2010	2	0
2011	0	0
2012	0	0
2013	2	0
Total	9	0