Masataka Sakamoto (坂本 將貴, Sakamoto Masataka, born February 24, 1978) is a former Japanese football player.He currently works as an individual coach for the Japan national team.

Masataka Sakamoto
坂本 將貴
Personal information
Full name Masataka Sakamoto
Date of birth (1978-02-24) February 24, 1978 (age 46)
Place of birth Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Height 1.71 m (5 ft 7+12 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1993–1995 Urawa Higashi High School
1996–1999 Nippon Sport Science University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2006 JEF United Chiba 176 (9)
2007 Albirex Niigata 34 (2)
2008–2012 JEF United Chiba 117 (2)
Total 327 (13)
Managerial career
2019–2023 JEF United Chiba (assistant coach)
2024— Japan national team (individual coach)
Medal record
JEF United Chiba
Winner J.League Cup 2005
Winner J.League Cup 2006
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

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Sakamoto was born in Saitama on February 24, 1978. After graduating from Nippon Sport Science University, he joined J1 League club JEF United Ichihara (later JEF United Chiba) in 2000. He became a regular player as right side midfielder from summer 2001. He also played as defensive midfielder not only right side midfielder. He played all matches in league competition except for one game for suspension in 2004 until 2006. The club won the champions J.League Cup for 2 years in a row (2005-2006). In 2007, he moved to Albirex Niigata. He played in all 34 matches as left side back and left midfielder. In 2008, he returned to JEF United Chiba. He played many matches as right side back. However the club results were bad and was relegated to J2 League first time in the club history from 2010. His opportunity to play also decreased from 2010 and he retired end of 2012 season.

Club statistics

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[1]

Club performance League Emperor's Cup J.League Cup Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
2000 JEF United Ichihara J1 League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2001 19 3 3 0 4 0 26 3
2002 30 1 4 0 7 0 41 1
2003 30 1 3 1 2 0 35 2
2004 29 1 1 0 4 0 34 1
2005 JEF United Chiba J1 League 34 2 2 0 11 0 47 2
2006 34 1 1 0 11 3 46 4
2007 Albirex Niigata J1 League 34 2 1 1 6 0 41 3
2008 JEF United Chiba J1 League 32 1 0 0 8 0 40 1
2009 33 1 2 0 6 0 41 1
2010 J2 League 21 0 1 0 - 22 0
2011 22 0 2 0 - 24 0
2012 9 0 1 0 - 10 0
Career total 327 13 21 2 59 3 407 18

Honors and awards

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Team

References

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  1. ^ "Stats Centre: Masataka Sakamoto Facts". Guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-12-22.
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