Yutaka Akita

Yutaka Akita
秋田 豊
Personal information
Full name Yutaka Akita
Date of birth (1970-08-06) August 6, 1970
Place of birth Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position Defender
Youth career
1989–1992 Aichi Gakuin University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–2003 Kashima Antlers 334 (20)
2004–2006 Nagoya Grampus Eight 57 (3)
2007 Kyoto Sanga FC 14 (0)
Total 405 (23)
National team
1995–2003 Japan 44 (4)
Teams managed
2010 Kyoto Sanga FC
2012–2013 FC Machida Zelvia
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Yutaka Akita (秋田 豊, Akita Yutaka, born August 6, 1970) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.

Club career

Akita is a strong and physical centre-back, who is also arguably one of the best headers of the ball within the J1 League. One of the best defenders of his generation and a 10-year stalwart for the Kashima Antlers since 1993, Akita left Kashima in early 2004 to move back to his native Nagoya, signing for hometown team Nagoya Grampus Eight. He moved to J2 League side Kyoto Sanga FC at the beginning of the 2007 season. In November 2007, he announced his retirement from the game.[1] Akita won the champions J1 League 4 times, J.League Cup 3 times and Emperor's Cup 2 times at Kashima Antlers. He was elected Best Eleven 4 times.

National team career

On October 24, 1995, Akita debuted for Japan national team against Saudi Arabia. He played at 1996 Asian Cup. He became a regular from the middle of 1997 and at 1998 World Cup qualification in 1997, Japan won the qualify for 1998 World Cup first time Japan's history. He played at 1998 World Cup and 1999 Copa América. He played full time in all matches at both competitions. In 2002, he was elected Japan for the first time in 3 years. He was also elected Japan for 2002 World Cup, but he did not play in the match. After 2002 World Cup, he became a regular player again under new manager Zico. On June 8, 2003, the match against Argentina is his last game for Japan. Although he was a member of Japan for 2003 Confederations Cup in June, he did not play in the match. He played 44 games and scored 4 goals for Japan until 2003.[2]

Coaching career

After retirement, Akita started coaching career at Kyoto Sanga FC in 2008. In July 2010, he became a manager as Hisashi Kato successor. However the club was relegated to J2 League and he resigned end of the season. He signed with Tokyo Verdy in 2012. In November, he resigned and became a manager for FC Machida Zelvia. He was sacked in June 2013.

Club statistics

Club Season League Emperor's Cup J. League Cup Asia Total
AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals
Kashima Antlers19933505251–453
19943840010–394
199550040––540
19961603040–230
19972135122–286
19983234010–373
19992822061–363
20002814170–392
20012922061–373
20022945180–425
2003281415030402
Nagoya Grampus Eight20042602070–350
20051912000–211
20061221030–162
Kyoto Sanga FC200714000––140
Total 405234365553050634

National team statistics

[2]

Japan national team
YearAppsGoals
199521
199620
1997162
1998100
199970
200000
200100
200230
200341
Total444

Managerial statistics

[3]

Team From To Record
GWDLWin %
Kyoto Sanga FC 2010 2010 20 2 3 15 010.00
Total 20 2 3 15 010.00

Honors and awards

Individual honors

Team Honors

References

  1. ↑ "Akita reveals retirement plans". The Japan Times. 21 November 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  2. 1 2 Japan National Football Team Database
  3. ↑ J.League Data Site(in Japanese)
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