Naoki Matsuda

Naoki Matsuda (松田 直樹, Matsuda Naoki, 14 March 1977 – 4 August 2011)[1] was a Japanese professional footballer who played as a central defender for the Japan national team.

Not to be confused with Naoki Matsudo.

Naoki Matsuda
松田 直樹
Matsuda with Japan in 2002
Personal information
Date of birth (1977-03-14)14 March 1977
Place of birth Kiryu, Gunma, Japan
Date of death 4 August 2011(2011-08-04) (aged 34)
Place of death Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Youth career
1992–1994 Maebashi Ikuei High School
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–2010 Yokohama F. Marinos 385 (17)
2011 Matsumoto Yamaga FC 15 (1)
Total 400 (18)
International career
1993 Japan U-17 4 (1)
1995 Japan U-20 4 (0)
1996–2000 Japan U-23 5 (0)
2000–2005 Japan 40 (1)
Medal record
Yokohama F. Marinos
WinnerJ1 League1995
WinnerJ1 League2003
WinnerJ1 League2004
Runner-upJ1 League2000
Runner-upJ1 League2002
WinnerJ.League Cup2001
Representing  Japan
FIFA Confederations Cup
Silver medal – second place2001 Korea-Japan
AFC Asian Cup
Gold medal – first place2000 Lebanon
Gold medal – first place2004 China
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Matsuda was born in Kiryu on 14 March 1977. After graduating from high school, he joined Yokohama Marinos (later Yokohama F. Marinos) in 1995. From first season, he became a regular player and played as right back of three defence with Japan national team players Masami Ihara and Norio Omura. The club won the champions in 1995 J1 League. In 2000s, he mainly played as centre back with Yuji Nakazawa or Yuzo Kurihara, also played defensive midfielder. The club won the champions 2001 J.League Cup, 2003 and 2004 J1 League. Although he played as central player of Marinos in 16 seasons, he was sacked end of 2010 season.

Matsuda moved to Japan Football League club Matsumoto Yamaga FC in 2011. Although he played for qualify for promote to J2 League, in 2 August, he collapsed for myocardial infarction during training. On 4 August, he died at the age of 34. His last match against Honda on 23 July was his 400th game in the league. At the end of the season, the club won promotion to the J2 League.

International career

In August 1993, Matsuda was selected Japan U-17 national team for 1993 U-17 World Championship. He played full-time in all 4 matches and scored 1 goal. In April 1995, he was also selected Japan U-20 national team for 1995 World Youth Championship and he played full-time in all 4 matches.

In July 1996, Matsuda was selected Japan U-23 national team for 1996 Summer Olympics and he played full-time in all 3 matches. Although Japan won 2 matches, Japan lost at First round. At this time, Japan won Brazil in first game. It was known as "Miracle of Miami" (マイアミの奇跡) in Japan.

On 5 February 2000, Matsuda debuted for Japan national team against Mexico. After the debut, he played many matches as one of three backs defense. In September, he was selected U-23 Japan for 2000 Summer Olympics 2nd time. However he played only 2 matches instead Koji Nakata got injured in the third game.

In October 2000, Matsuda was selected Japan for 2000 Asian Cup. He played 3 matches and Japan won the champions. In 2001, he was also selected Japan for 2001 Confederations Cup. He played 4 matches and Japan won the 2nd place. At 2002 World Cup, he played full-time in all 4 matches. After 2002 World Cup, he did not play in many matches. He was selected Japan for 2004 Asian Cup. Although Japan won the champions, he played only 5 minutes. On 29 January 2005, he played and scored a goal against Kazakhstan. Although this goal is his first goal for Japan, this game became his last game for Japan. He played 40 games and scored 1 goal for Japan until 2005.[2]

Death

On 2 August 2011, Matsuda collapsed during training with Matsumoto Yamaga FC due to a cardiac arrest after finishing a 15-minute warmup run, and doctors diagnosed his condition as "extremely severe".[3] Two days later, he died at the age of 34.[4]

Despite having released him in 2010, his former club, Yokohama F. Marinos, retired his uniform number 3 after his death, as an indication of his contribution not only to F. Marinos but to Japan football's development, both at league and international levels.

The funeral was held on 9 August 2011 and attendees included players who once played for Japan and Yokohama F. Marinos.[5]

Career statistics

Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[6]
Club Season League Emperor's Cup J.League Cup Asia Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Yokohama F. Marinos[lower-alpha 1] 1995 J1 League 33110––341
1996 16010112–282
1997 3122060–392
1998 1201041–171
1999 2703020–320
2000 2422130–293
2001 2901090–390
2002 2521000–262
2003 2000050–250
2004 241104040331
2005 271104140362
2006 2940093–387
2007 812050–151
2008 3013070–401
2009 31130102–443
2010 1912030–241
Matsumoto Yamaga FC 2011 Japan Football League 151–––151
Career total 400182418298050628
  1. "Yokohama Marinos" until 1999

International
Appearances and goals by national team and year[2]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Japan 2000140
2001100
2002120
200300
200430
200511
Total401
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Matsuda goal.
List of international goals scored by Naoki Matsuda
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
129 January 2005Yokohama, Japan Kazakhstan4–0Friendly

Honours

Yokohama F. Marinos

Japan

Individual

References
  1. "Naoki Matsuda Bio, Stats, and Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  2. Japan National Football Team Database
  3. "Matsuda still in danger a day after cardiac arrest". Fox Soccer. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  4. "Former Japan international Naoki Matsuda dies". Fox News Latino. 4 August 2011. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  5. "松田さんに最後の別れ ファンからナオキコール：その他：サッカー：スポーツ報知". Archived from the original on 18 August 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  6. Single source here, if player is inactive. If player has not retired, move source next to "Updated" template.
  7. "Yasuhito Endo named J-League 30-year MVP, Kazuyoshi Miura, Shunsuke Nakamura in best XI". Mainichi Shimbun. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.