Yuji Nakazawa

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

Yuji Nakazawa

Nakazawa playing for Japan in 2008
Personal information
Full name	Yuji Nakazawa
Date of birth	(1978-02-25) February 25, 1978
Place of birth	Yoshikawa, Saitama, Japan
Height	1.87 m (6 ft 1+1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Defender
Youth career
1993–1995	Misato Technical High School
1996–1997	América
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1999–2001	Tokyo Verdy	83	(5)
2002–2018	Yokohama F. Marinos	510	(31)
Total		593	(36)
National team
2000	Japan U-23	4	(0)
1999–2010	Japan	110	(17)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Biography

Nakazawa was born in Yoshikawa on February 25, 1978. After graduating from Misato Technical High School, he moved to Brazil in 1996. In 1998, he returned to Japan and signed with J1 League club Verdy Kawasaki (later Tokyo Verdy) as a trainee. He signed professional contract in 1999. In 1999, he became a regular center back and was selected "Rookie of the Year award" and Best Eleven. In 2002, he moved to Yokohama F. Marinos. The club won the champions in the 2003 and 2004 J1 League. He was also selected "MVP award" and "Japanese Footballer of the Year" in 2004 season. He played as regular center back for long time. He retired end of the 2018 season at the age of 40.

On September 8, 1999, Nakazawa debuted for the Japan national team against Iran. In 2000, he was selected the Japan U-23 national team for 2000 Summer Olympics and played all 4 matches. He also played at 2000 Asian Cup and won the champions. However his opportunity to play decreased after the 2000 Asian Cup. From autumn 2003, he became a regular player as center back with Tsuneyasu Miyamoto. In 2004, he participated in the 2004 Asian Cup. He played all 6 matches and scored 3 goals, and Japan won the champions again. He also played at 2006 World Cup. In 2007, he played in the 2007 Asian Cup, but this time the team failed to defend the title and finished the 4th place. In 2010, he was selected Japan for 2010 World Cup. He played all 4 matches as center back with Marcus Tulio Tanaka. Nakazawa played 110 games and scored 17 goals for Japan until 2010.

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
1999	Verdy Kawasaki	J1 League	28	1	3	1	2	0	-		33	2
2000			29	4	2	0	3	0	-		34	4
2001	Tokyo Verdy	J1 League	26	0	0	0	2	0	-		28	0
2002	Yokohama F. Marinos	J1 League	27	1	2	0	0	0	-		29	1
2003			29	4	2	0	7	2	-		38	6
2004			27	1	1	0	0	0	2	0	30	1
2005			27	3	1	0	3	0	4	0	35	3
2006			23	1	3	0	2	0	-		28	1
2007			32	2	1	0	7	0	-		40	2
2008			33	4	3	1	3	0	-		39	5
2009			32	3	1	0	3	0	-		36	3
2010			22	0	0	0	2	1	-		24	1
2011			33	1	5	0	5	0	-		43	1
2012			33	3	5	0	3	0	-		41	3
2013			34	1	3	1	8	0	-		45	2
2014			34	2	0	0	2	1	5	0	38	3
2015			34	0	3	0	3	0	-		40	0
2016			34	3	5	0	6	0	-		45	3
2017			34	1	2	0	0	0	-		36	1
2018			22	1	1	0	2	0	-		25	1
Country	Japan		593	36	43	3	63	4	11	0	710	43
Total			593	36	43	3	63	4	11	0	710	43

Japan national team
Year	Apps	Goals
1999	1	0
2000	6	2
2001	2	0
2002	1	0
2003	4	0
2004	15	5
2005	12	1
2006	12	1
2007	13	2
2008	16	4
2009	14	2
2010	14	0
Total	110	17