Atsushi Yanagisawa

Atsushi Yanagisawa (柳沢 敦, Yanagisawa Atsushi, born May 27, 1977) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.

He is best known for playing the majority of his career at Kashima Antlers, in addition to his spells with Italian side Sampdoria and Messina Peloro.

Yanagisawa earned 58 caps for the Japan national team, and represented them at two World Cups, the 2000 Olympics and the 2000 Asian Cup.^[1]

Club career

Yanagisawa was born in Imizu on May 27, 1977. After graduating from high school, he joined Kashima Antlers in 1996. He debuted in May 1996. In 1997, he became a regular player and was elected Rookie of the Year awards. In 1990s, the club won the champions at 1996, 1998 J1 League, 1997 J.League Cup and 1997 Emperor's Cup. In Asia, the club won 3rd place at 1998–99 Asian Cup Winners' Cup. 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 for 2 years in a row and he was elected Japanese Footballer of the Year awards. In 2002, the club won J.League Cup.

In June 2003, Yanagisawa moved to Italian Serie A club Sampdoria. He moved to Messina Peloro in 2004. However he resigned in February 2006.

In March 2006, Yanagisawa returned to Kashima Antlers. In 2007, the club won J1 League and Emperor's Cup. However his opportunity to play decreased behind young player Yuzo Tashiro and Shinzo Koroki. He moved to Kyoto Sanga FC in 2008. He scored 14 goals which is top score in Japanese player in the league. However he could not scored many goals from 2009. He moved to Vegalta Sendai in 2011. In March 2011, 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami occurred in wide area including Sendai. Although he did not play many matches, the club won the 4th place in 2011 and 2nd place in 2012. He retired end of 2014 season.

National team career

In June 1997, Yanagisawa was elected Japan U-20 national team for 1997 World Youth Championship. At this competition, he wore the number 10 shirt for Japan and played all 5 matches and scored 4 goals.

On February 15, 1998, Yanagisawa debuted for Japan national team against Australia. From 1999, he was elected Japan well by manager Philippe Troussier.

In September 2000, he also was elected Japan U-23 national team for 2000 Summer Olympics. He played in all 4 matches and scored a goal against United States in Quarterfinal.

In October, he also played at 2000 Asian Cup and Japan won the champions. In 2002, he was elected Japan for 2002 World Cup. He played as forward with club team mate Takayuki Suzuki in 3 games. He also played at 2005 Confederations Cup and 2006 World Cup. He played 58 games and scored 17 goals for Japan until 2006.^[2]

Career statistics

^[3][4]

National team statistics

^[2]

Japan national team Year Apps Goals 1998 2 0 1999 4 0 2000 10 4 2001 6 5 2002 9 0 2003 5 2 2004 8 2 2005 10 4 2006 4 0 Total 58 17

International goals # Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. June 6, 2000 Rabat, Morocco  Jamaica 4-0 Won Hassan II International Cup 2. June 18, 2000 Yokohama, Japan  Bolivia 2-0 Won Kirin Cup 2000 3. June 18, 2000 Yokohama, Japan  Bolivia 2-0 Won Kirin Cup 2000 4. October 14, 2000 Sidon, Lebanon  Saudi Arabia 4-1 Won Asian Cup 2000 5. August 15, 2001 Fukuroi, Shizuoka, Japan  Australia 3-0 Won Friendly 6. July 1, 2001 Sapporo, Japan  Paraguay 2-0 Won Kirin Cup 2001 7. July 1, 2001 Sapporo, Japan  Paraguay 2-0 Won Kirin Cup 2001 8. October 7, 2001 Southampton, England  Nigeria 2-2 Draw Friendly 9. November 7, 2001 Saitama, Japan  Italy 1-1 Draw Friendly 10. October 8, 2003 Tunis, Tunisia  Tunisia 1-0 Won Friendly 11. October 11, 2003 Bucharest, Romania  Romania 1-1 Draw Friendly 12. February 12, 2004 Fukuroi, Shizuoka, Japan  Iraq 2-0 Won Friendly 13. July 9, 2004 Ōita, Japan  Slovakia 3-1 Won Kirin Cup 2004 14. June 8, 2005 Bangkok, Thailand  North Korea 2-0 Won WC 2006 Qual 15. June 16, 2005 Hanover, Germany  Mexico 1-2 Lost Confederations Cup 2005 16. September 7, 2005 Rifu, Miyagi, Japan  Honduras 5-4 Won Friendly 17. September 7, 2005 Rifu, Miyagi, Japan  Honduras 5-4 Won Friendly

Honors and awards

References

External links

• Atsushi Yanagisawa – FIFA competition record (archive)
• Atsushi Yanagisawa at National-Football-Teams.com
• Japan National Football Team Database
• Atsushi Yanagisawa at J.League (in Japanese)
• Atsushi Yanagisawa at FootballDatabase.eu