Naoto Sakurai

Naoto Sakurai (桜井 直人, Sakurai Naoto, born September 2, 1975) is a former Japanese football player.

Naoto Sakurai
桜井 直人

Personal information
Full name	Naoto Sakurai
Date of birth	(1975-09-02) September 2, 1975
Place of birth	Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Youth career
1991–1993	Omiya Higashi High School
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1994–1999	Urawa Reds	20	(0)
1999–2004	Tokyo Verdy	116	(23)
2005–2008	Omiya Ardija	50	(9)
Total		186	(32)
Medal record Tokyo Verdy Winner Emperor's Cup 2004
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

Sakurai was born in Saitama on September 2, 1975. After graduating from high school, he joined his local club Urawa Reds in 1994. He debuted in 1995 and played several matches every season. However could not play many matches. In 1999, he moved to Verdy Kawasaki (later Tokyo Verdy). He became a regular player immediately and played many matches as forward good at dribbling for a long time. In 2005, he moved to newly was promoted to J1 League club, Omiya Ardija based in his local. Although he played many matches until 2006, he could hardly play in the match from 2007 and he retired end of 2008 season.

Club statistics

Club performance			League		Cup		League Cup		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Japan			League		Emperor's Cup		J.League Cup		Total
1994	Urawa Reds	J1 League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1995			5	0	0	0	-		5	0
1996			4	0	2	0	0	0	6	0
1997			2	0	1	0	2	0	5	0
1998			5	0	1	0	3	1	9	1
1999			4	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
1999	Verdy Kawasaki	J1 League	14	4	2	1	2	0	18	5
2000			17	0	2	1	2	0	21	1
2001	Tokyo Verdy	J1 League	21	3	2	0	0	0	23	3
2002			24	4	0	0	6	0	30	4
2003			19	6	3	2	2	0	24	8
2004			21	6	1	1	7	3	29	10
2005	Omiya Ardija	J1 League	19	4	3	0	6	0	28	4
2006			21	5	0	0	5	0	26	5
2007			7	0	1	0	0	0	8	0
2008			3	0	2	0	0	0	5	0
Total			186	32	20	5	35	4	241	41

External links

• Naoto Sakurai at J.League (archive) (in Japanese)