Takuya Yamada

Takuya Yamada (山田 卓也, Yamada Takuya, born August 24, 1974) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.

Takuya Yamada
山田 卓也
Personal information
Full name Takuya Yamada
Date of birth (1974-08-24) August 24, 1974
Place of birth Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Defender, Midfielder
Youth career
1990–1992 Toin Gakuen High School
1993–1996 Komazawa University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2005 Tokyo Verdy 235 (22)
2006 Cerezo Osaka 20 (0)
2007–2008 Yokohama FC 50 (5)
2009 Sagan Tosu 43 (1)
2010–2014 Tampa Bay Rowdies 113 (4)
2015 FC Imabari 4 (0)
2016 Nara Club 13 (1)
2017 FC Imabari 0 (0)
Total 478 (33)
International career
2003–2004 Japan 4 (0)
Medal record
Tokyo Verdy
WinnerEmperor's Cup2004
Representing  Japan
AFC Asian Cup
Gold medal – first place2004 China
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Yamada attended Toin Gakuen High School, where he led the school to the final four in the National Championship. Played at Komazawa University before turning professional where he won a variety of different national titles, including the gold medal for Japan at the 1995 Summer Universiade.

He turned professional in 1997, playing for Verdy Kawasaki (later Tokyo Verdy) in the then-fledgling J1 League. He played as right side-back and midfielder. Yamada stayed with Verdy for the next eight years, clocking up almost 300 appearances for the club. He was one of the iconic players of J1 League's early years, known for his physical and charismatic strength on the field. The supporters' group honored him with the name of "Mr. Verdy" when he served as Verdy's captain for three years. He was also nicknamed "The Terminator", due to his combative style.

He moved to Cerezo Osaka for the 2006 season, but never fully settled with the club. In December 2006, Yamada surprised the Australian football community by arriving unannounced for a trial with Adelaide United.[1][2] However, in January, 2007, Adelaide United signed with a Brazilian attacking midfielder Diego Walsh from Miami FC who had a more advanced visa status meaning Walsh was likely to be available sooner to play for Adelaide United.[3]

From Australia, Yamada flew to the United States for an invitational tryout with several Major League Soccer clubs, including New England Revolution,[4] but was not offered a contract. After returning to Japan, Yokohama FC of the J.League immediately announced its interest towards Yamada and signed him on 3 June 2007. Yamada served as captain for the 2008 season.

For the 2009 season, Yamada transferred to Sagan Tosu due to the head coach Yasuyuki Kishino's strong recruitment. On January 1, 2010, Yamada signed with FC Tampa Bay (later Tampa Bay Rowdies) for their 2010 inaugural team roster.[5] He became the first Japanese player to serve as co-captain in USSF Division 2. Yamada re-signed with Tampa Bay, now playing in the North American Soccer League, on December 27, 2010.[6]

Yamada remained with Tampa Bay through the 2011 season. On October 5, 2011, the club announced that Yamada would return for the 2012 season.[7] It was the second straight season Yamada scored the game-winner in the home opener.[8] Started all 28 regular season matches and 2 post-season matches... Played in all 2,520 regular season minutes, the most in the NASL, and won the NASL Soccer Bowl 2012, he was also selected to the NASL 2012 Best XI.[9] Yamada continued to play for Tampa Bay for the 2013 season where he started in 22 matches in NASL season. Played in 1966 minutes and played in 100th official match for Rowdies on August 24, 2013.[10] On February 10, 2014, the club announced that Yamada will return for the 2014 season as the club's longest tenured player.[11] He left the club end of 2014 season.

He returned to Japan in 2015 and he joined FC Imabari in July. He moved to Nara Club in 2016 and played until end of the season. He returned to FC Imabari in August 2017. He retired in November 2017.

National team career

Yamada was the world champion for the 1995 Summer Universiade.

In December 2003, he was selected Japan national team for 2003 East Asian Football Championship. At this tournament, on December 7, he debuted against Hong Kong. He was also selected Japan for 2004 Asian Cup. Although he did play in the match, Japan won the champions. He played as defensive midfielder. He played 4 games for Japan until 2004.[12]

Playing style

The organizer on the pitch with his computerized accurate short, and long passes. He is a utility player as a midfielder, and defender, who is also capable both on the flank and middle. Yamada is also a hard nose player to go tight, and tough against whoever he is matching up with. Also, equipped with sharp overlaps to score when needed. Natural leader on and off the field who served as captain in three clubs.

Club statistics

Club performance League Cup League Cup Total
Season Club League AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals
Japan League Emperor's Cup J.League Cup Total
1997Verdy KawasakiJ1 League2210030251
1998703040140
19992934040373
20003042050374
2001Tokyo VerdyJ1 League2923020340
20022811061352
2003301030603910
20042715242365
20053301051391
2006Cerezo OsakaJ1 League2000060260
2007Yokohama FCJ1 League19120-211
2008J2 League31420-334
2009Sagan TosuJ2 League43120-451
United States League Open Cup League Cup Total
2010FC Tampa BayD2 Pro League290290
2011NASL241241
2012Tampa Bay RowdiesNASL28320303
201322020240
2014100100
Japan League Emperor's Cup J.League Cup Total
2015FC ImabariRegional Leagues4010-50
2016Nara ClubFootball League13120-151
2017FC ImabariFootball League00--00
CountryJapan 3652931245444135
United States 113440001174
Total 4783335245455839

National team statistics

[12]

Japan national team
YearAppsGoals
200310
200430
Total40

Honors and awards

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Personal

Club

  • 2012: NASL Best XI
  • 2005: J.League XEROX Super Cup Champion
  • 2004: J.League Emperor's Cup Champion
  • 2004: AFC Asian Cup Champions
  • 1996: All-Japan University Best 11
  • 1995: Universiade Fukuoka (World University Games), Japanese College National Team – World Champion (Gold Medal)
  • 1995: All-Japan University Best 11
  • 1993: All-Japan High School Select Team

International

References

  1. A-League, Hyundai (2006-12-20). "Yamada Trains with Reds". Hyundai A-League. Archived from the original on 2011-03-06. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  2. Lato, Daniel (2006-12-20). "Reds eye surprise arrival". Adelaide Advertiser. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  3. Lato, Daniel (2007-01-10). "United signs Diego". Adelaide Advertiser. Retrieved 2007-01-10.
  4. "Archived". www.japantimes.co.jp. The Japan Times. 2007-03-14. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  5. "FC Tampa Bay Rowdies Sign Iconic Japanese Midfielder Takuya Yamada".
  6. "FC Tampa Bay Re-Signs Takuya Yamada". 27 December 2010.
  7. "News | FC Tampa Bay". Archived from the original on 2011-10-11. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
  8. Rowdies edge Edmonton 1-0 in home opener
  9. "NASL Announces 2012 Best XI".
  10. "Yamada goes from unknown to Rowdies stalwart". 24 August 2013.
  11. LONGEST TENURED ROWDIE TAKUYA YAMADA AND FORWARD DEVIN DEL DO RETURN FOR THE 2014 SEASON Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine
  12. Japan National Football Team Database
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