Naoki Sakai (footballer)

Naoki Sakai (酒井 直樹, Sakai Naoki; born August 2, 1975) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.

Naoki Sakai
酒井 直樹

Personal information
Full name	Naoki Sakai
Date of birth	(1975-08-02) August 2, 1975 (age 50)
Place of birth	Nagareyama, Japan
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
1991–1993	Kashiwa Reysol
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1994–2001	Kashiwa Reysol	130	(16)
2002–2003	Consadole Sapporo	27	(1)
Total		157	(17)
International career
1996	Japan	1	(0)
Medal record Kashiwa Reysol Winner J.League Cup 1999
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Sakai was born in Nagareyama on August 2, 1975. He joined his local club Kashiwa Reysol from youth team in 1994. He played as right midfielder. The club won the champions at 1999 J.League Cup. From 2000, his opportunity to play decreased behind Mitsuteru Watanabe. He moved to Consadole Sapporo in 2002. He retired end of 2003 season.

National team career

On October 13, 1996, Sakai debuted for Japan national team against Tunisia.^[1]

Club statistics

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
1994	Kashiwa Reysol	Football League	0	0	0	0	-		0	0
1995		J1 League	19	0	0	0	-		19	0
1996			19	8	1	1	12	3	32	12
1997			14	0	3	1	6	0	23	1
1998			27	5	2	3	2	0	31	8
1999			24	2	4	2	7	0	35	4
2000			15	0	2	1	0	0	17	1
2001			12	1	0	0	2	0	14	1
2002	Consadole Sapporo	J1 League	17	1	0	0	3	0	20	1
2003		J2 League	10	0	0	0	-		10	0
Total			157	17	12	8	32	3	201	28

National team statistics

^[1]

Japan national team
Year	Apps	Goals
1996	1	0
Total	1	0