Kōji Nakata

Kōji Nakata (中田 浩二, Nakata Kōji, born 9 July 1979) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a defender and midfielder. At international level, he represented Japan national team playing at both the 2002, and the 2006 FIFA World Cup.[1]

Kōji Nakata
中田 浩二
Personal information
Date of birth (1979-07-09) 9 July 1979
Place of birth Otsu, Shiga, Japan
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Defender, midfielder
Youth career
1995–1997 Teikyo High School
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2004 Kashima Antlers 144 (27)
2005–2006 Olympique Marseille 9 (0)
2006–2008 Basel 62 (3)
2008–2014 Kashima Antlers 122 (6)
Total 337 (36)
National team
1999 Japan U20 7 (0)
2000 Japan U23 3 (0)
2000–2007 Japan 57 (2)
Honours
Kashima Antlers
WinnerJ1 League1998
WinnerJ1 League2000
WinnerJ1 League2001
WinnerJ1 League2008
WinnerJ1 League2009
WinnerJ.League Cup2000
WinnerJ.League Cup2002
WinnerJ.League Cup2011
WinnerJ.League Cup2012
Runner-upJ.League Cup1999
Runner-upJ.League Cup2003
WinnerEmperor's Cup2000
WinnerEmperor's Cup2010
Runner-upEmperor's Cup2002
Representing  Japan
FIFA Confederations Cup
2001 Korea-Japan
AFC Asian Cup
2004 China
FIFA U-20 World Cup
1999 Nigeria
AFC U-19 Championship
1998 Thailand
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

The 'other Nakata', as he is known to most non-Japanese fans, is a left-footed midfielder. A very versatile player, Nakata has established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders for Japan.

Nakata was born in Otsu on 9 July 1979. After graduating from high school, he joined Kashima Antlers in 1998. Japan national team players Masashi Motoyama, Mitsuo Ogasawara and Hitoshi Sogahata are Nakata's contemporaries. He debuted as defensive midfielder in first season and the club won the champions 1998 J1 League. From 2000, he became a regular player and constituted midfielder with Yasuto Honda, Bismarck, Motoyama and Ogasawara. In 2000, the club won all three major title in Japan J1 League, J.League Cup and Emperor's Cup. In 2001, the club won J1 League and he was also elected Best Eleven. the club also won 2002 J.League Cup.

Nakata moved from Japanese Kashima Antlers to France at the start of 2005 when former Japan national team manager Philippe Troussier, then the Olympique de Marseille coach, signed him in a deal. After an understandably unhappy season in France (Troussier was sacked just a few months later), the frozen-out Nakata jumped at the chance to leave and by early 2006 had moved to Switzerland's top team FC Basel where he played as a defender.[2]

Nakata returned to Kashima Antlers in July 2008. He played at many defensive position, defensive midfielder, left side-back and center-back. The club won the champions 2008, 2009 J1 League, 2010 Emperor's Cup, 2011 and 2012 J.League Cup. He retired end of 2014 season.

International career

Although Nakata played as defensive midfielder at the club, he played as left-back of three backs defense at U20, U23 and senior national team under manager Philippe Troussier.

In April 1999, Nakata played for Japan U20 at 1999 World Youth Championship. He played all 7 matches with defender Kazuki Teshima and Shigeki Tsujimoto, and Japan won the 2nd place.

On 5 February 2000, Nakata debuted for Japan national team against Mexico. In September, he was elected U23 Japan for 2000 Summer Olympics. Although he played as regular player, he got hurt in third match against Brazil and he could not play after the match.

In 2001 and 2002, Nakata played all matches for Japan including 2001 Confederations Cup and 2002 World Cup. At Confederations Cup, Japan won the 2nd place. At 2002 World Cup, he played full-time all 4 matches.

After 2002 World Cup, Nakata played as defensive midfielder under new manager Zico. Although his opportunity to play decreased, he was elected Japan for many competition, 2003, 2005 Confederations Cup, 2004 Asian Cup and 2006 World Cup. At 2004 Asian Cup, he played 4 matches and scored 2 goals in semifinal and final, and Japan won the champions. He played 57 games and scored 2 goals for Japan until 2007.[3]

Personal life

Nakata announced that he will get married with Nao Nagasawa on 22 February 2014. www.orendsrange.com

Career statistics

Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Kashima Antlers1998510000–51
19991742010–204
20002945222368
20012583160–349
20022965030376
2003183–2230235
20042113220–263
Total144271851643018136
Marseille2004–0550–––50
2005–0640–1050100
Total90001050150
Basel2005–06101–––101
2006–0734150–90481
2007–0818121–50252
Total6237100140834
Kashima Antlers200890–1020120
2009221401020291
2010323611062456
2011262103061363
2012500020–70
20132502060–330
2014300010–40
Total122613115016316610
Career total 3373638732438344550

International
Appearances and goals by national team and year[3]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Japan 200070
2001130
2002130
200370
200462
200580
200620
200710
Total572
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Nakata goal.[1]
List of international goals scored by Kōji Nakata
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
13 August 2004Jinan, China Bahrain4–32004 AFC Asian Cup semi-final
27 August 2004Beijing, China China PR3–12004 AFC Asian Cup final

Honours

Kashima Antlers

Marseille

FC Basel

Japan

Japan U20

Individual

References
  1. "NAKATA Koji". Japan National Football Team Database. Archived from the original on 22 September 2013.
  2. "Zwei neue Nationalspieler für den FCB" (in German). FC Basel. 31 January 2006. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
  3. Japan National Football Team Database
  4. "Marseille 5-1 Deportivo (Aggregate: 5 - 3)". uefa.com. Archived from the original on 31 May 2006. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
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