Tomoyuki Sakai (酒井 友之, Sakai Tomoyuki, born 29 June 1979) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.

Tomoyuki Sakai
酒井 友之
Personal information
Full name Tomoyuki Sakai
Date of birth (1979-06-29) 29 June 1979 (age 45)
Place of birth Misato, Saitama, Japan
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1995–1997 JEF United Ichihara
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2000 JEF United Ichihara 92 (3)
2001–2003 Nagoya Grampus Eight 74 (5)
2004–2007 Urawa Reds 50 (3)
2007–2008 Vissel Kobe 10 (0)
2009 Fujieda MYFC 18 (3)
2010–2011 Pelita Jaya 11 (1)
2011 Persiwa Wamena 12 (0)
2011–2012 Persiram Raja Ampat 33 (2)
2013 Deltras Sidoarjo 0 (0)
Total 300 (17)
International career
1994–1995 Japan U-17 3 (0)
1998–1999 Japan U-20 7 (0)
2000 Japan U-23 4 (0)
2000 Japan 1 (0)
Medal record
JEF United Ichihara
Runner-up J.League Cup 1998
Urawa Reds
Winner AFC Champions League 2007
Winner J1 League 2006
Runner-up J1 League 2004
Runner-up J1 League 2005
Runner-up J1 League 2007
Runner-up J.League Cup 2004
Winner Emperor's Cup 2005
Winner Emperor's Cup 2006
Representing  Japan
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Silver medal – second place 1999 Nigeria
AFC U-19 Championship
Silver medal – second place 1998 Thailand
AFC U-16 Championship
Gold medal – first place 1994 Qatar
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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Sakai was born in Misato on 29 June 1979. He joined JEF United Ichihara from youth team in 1997. He played many matches as defensive midfielder from first season. He moved to Nagoya Grampus Eight in 2001. He also played as right midfielder not only defensive midfielder. His opportunity to play decreased from the middle of 2003. He moved to Urawa Reds in 2004. Although he did not have much opportunity to play, the club won the 2nd place in 2004 and 2005 J1 League and the champions 2005 Emperor's Cup. He moved to Vissel Kobe in July 2007 and Fujieda MYFC in 2009. From 2010, he moved to Indonesia and played for Pelita Jaya, Persiwa Wamena, Persiram Raja Ampat and Deltras Sidoarjo. He retired in 2013.

National team career

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In August 1995, Sakai was selected Japan U-17 national team for 1995 U-17 World Championship. He played full-time in all 3 matches. In April 1999, he was also selected Japan U-20 national team for 1999 World Youth Championship. He played full-time in all 7 matches as right midfielder and Japan won the 2nd place.

In September 2000, Sakai was selected Japan U-23 national team for 2000 Summer Olympics who carried high hopes of the nation because Sakai's teammates included such household names as Hidetoshi Nakata, Shunsuke Nakamura and Naohiro Takahara. Sakai played all 4 matches. However, in the team's quarterfinal match, Sakai committed a foul inside his own box at the 90th minute, conceding the United States, Japan's opponents, a crucial penalty to make it 2-2.[1] The United States went on to win the penalty shootouts after 120 minutes of play could not separate the two teams.[1]

On 20 December 2000, Sakai debuted for Japan national team against South Korea.[2]

Club statistics

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Japan League Emperor's Cup J.League Cup Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1997 JEF United Ichihara J1 League 18 2 2 0 1 0 21 2
1998 25 0 1 0 6 1 32 1
1999 22 0 1 1 0 0 23 1
2000 27 1 3 1 2 0 32 2
2001 Nagoya Grampus Eight J1 League 25 3 1 0 6 0 32 3
2002 29 1 3 0 6 0 38 1
2003 17 1 0 0 3 0 20 1
2004 Urawa Reds J1 League 19 1 3 0 7 1 29 2
2005 18 2 4 0 6 0 28 2
2006 3 0 3 0 5 1 11 1
2007 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2007 Vissel Kobe J1 League 10 0 2 0 0 0 12 0
2008 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2009 Fujieda MYFC Prefectural Leagues 8 3 - - 8 3
Indonesia League Piala Indonesia League Cup Total
2010/11 Pelita Jaya Super League 11 1 - - 11 1
2010/11 Persiwa Wamena 12 0 - - 12 0
2011/12 Persiram Raja Ampat 33 2 - - 33 2
Country Japan 221 14 23 2 42 3 286 19
Indonesia 56 3 - - 56 3
Total 277 17 23 2 42 3 342 22

Honors and awards

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Club honors

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Urawa Reds

Country honors

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References

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  1. ^ a b "SYDNEY 2000: SOCCER; Trailing Twice, U.S. Beats Japan to Reach Semifinals". The New York Times. 24 September 2000. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  2. ^ Japan National Football Team Database
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