Takuya Yamada

Takuya Yamada
山田 卓也
Personal information
Full name Takuya Yamada
Date of birth (1974-08-24) August 24, 1974 (age 50)
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
Winner Emperor's Cup 2004
Representing  Japan
AFC Asian Cup
Gold medal – first place 2004 China
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

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

Club career

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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

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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

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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

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Club performance League Cup League Cup Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Japan League Emperor's Cup J.League Cup Total
1997 Verdy Kawasaki J1 League 22 1 0 0 3 0 25 1
1998 7 0 3 0 4 0 14 0
1999 29 3 4 0 4 0 37 3
2000 30 4 2 0 5 0 37 4
2001 Tokyo Verdy J1 League 29 2 3 0 2 0 34 0
2002 28 1 1 0 6 1 35 2
2003 30 10 3 0 6 0 39 10
2004 27 1 5 2 4 2 36 5
2005 33 0 1 0 5 1 39 1
2006 Cerezo Osaka J1 League 20 0 0 0 6 0 26 0
2007 Yokohama FC J1 League 19 1 2 0 - 21 1
2008 J2 League 31 4 2 0 - 33 4
2009 Sagan Tosu J2 League 43 1 2 0 - 45 1
United States League Open Cup League Cup Total
2010 FC Tampa Bay D2 Pro League 29 0 29 0
2011 NASL 24 1 24 1
2012 Tampa Bay Rowdies NASL 28 3 2 0 30 3
2013 22 0 2 0 24 0
2014 10 0 10 0
Japan League Emperor's Cup J.League Cup Total
2015 FC Imabari Regional Leagues 4 0 1 0 - 5 0
2016 Nara Club Football League 13 1 2 0 - 15 1
2017 FC Imabari Football League 0 0 - - 0 0
Country Japan 365 29 31 2 45 4 441 35
United States 113 4 4 0 0 0 117 4
Total 478 33 35 2 45 4 558 39

National team statistics

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[12]

Japan national team
Year Apps Goals
2003 1 0
2004 3 0
Total 4 0

Honors and awards

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Tampa Bay Rowdies

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Personal

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Club

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  • 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

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References

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  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.[dead link]
  5. ^ "FC Tampa Bay Rowdies Sign Iconic Japanese Midfielder Takuya Yamada".
  6. ^ "FC Tampa Bay Re-Signs Takuya Yamada". 27 December 2010.
  7. ^ "News". 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. ^ a b Japan National Football Team Database
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