Quick Facts
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Naohiro Takahara (高原 直泰, Takahara Naohiro, born June 4, 1979) is a Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team. Currently, he is player for Okinawa SV.
Club career
Takahara was born in Mishima in June 4, 1979. After graduating from high school, he joined Júbilo Iwata in 1998. In 1998, the club won J.League Cup and he was selected New Hero awards. In 1999, the club won J1 League and Asian Club Championship. The club also won the 2nd place 1999–00 and 2000–01 Asian Club Championship. In August 2001, he moved to Boca Juniors on loan.
In 2002, he returned to Júbilo Iwata. The club went on to win the J1 League, while Takahara became the top scorer and was elected Most Valuable Player of the year. End of 2002 season, he moved to Hamburger SV. On December 3, 2006, he scored his first hat-trick in the German Bundesliga in a league game against Alemannia Aachen.
In January 2008 he moved to Urawa Reds for a transfer fee of around ¥180 million (around $1.7 million). Due to a disagreement with the style of coach Volker Finke, who had taken over as coach of Urawa in 2009, Takahara was leased to Suwon Samsung Bluewings of the South Korean K League 1 in July of the following year. On July 31, 2010, he made his debut as a substitute for the 39th minute of the match against Gwangju FC. On 29 August, he scored a goal in the 39th minute of the second half of the game against FC Seoul. He helped victorious game 4-2 and won the MVP in this game.
In 2011, he returned to Japan and signed with Shimizu S-Pulse. After that, he played for J2 League club Tokyo Verdy (2013–14) and J3 League club SC Sagamihara (2014–15). In December 2015, along with legendary Japanese judoka Tadahiro Nomura, Takahara founded Okinawa SV. He served as president as well as playing manager for the club.
International career
In August 1995, Takahara was selected Japan U-17 national team for 1995 U-17 World Championship. He played all 3 matches and scored 1 goal. In April 1999, he was also selected Japan U-20 national team for 1999 World Youth Championship. He played all 7 matches and scored 3 goals. Japan won the 2nd place. In February 2000, he was selected Japan national team for 2000 Asian Cup qualification. At this qualification, on February 13, he debuted against Singapore. He played all 3 matches and 3 goals and Japan won the qualify for 2000 Asian Cup.
In September, he was selected Japan U-23 national team for 2000 Summer Olympics. He played all 4 matches and scored 3 goals in first match and quarterfinal. In October, he played at 2000 Asian Cup. He played 5 matches and scored 5 goals. Japan won the champions. However he missed the 2002 World Cup, co-hosted by his home country and South Korea, because of lung disease (venous thrombosis).
After 2002 World Cup, Takahara played at 2003 Confederations Cup. Although his convocation for Japan decreased due to the schedule, he played as regular player when he was elected Japan. In 2006, he was elected Japan for 2006 World Cup and he played all 3 matches. After 2006 World Cup, he played at 2007 Asian Cup. He played 6 matches and scored 4 goals, and became a top scorer. He played 57 games and scored 23 goals for Japan until 2008.
Facts
- His goals and performances were celebrated by Eintracht supporters by singing to the melody of Gala's Freed from desire. After successful matches Takahara often joined the faithful to jump up and down the same way.
- Takahara was the first Japanese player to play in the Argentine First Division league.
- Takahara is the third Japanese to play in Bundesliga after Yasuhiko Okudera and Kazuo Ozaki.
2007 Asian Cup
Takahara finished top scorer after an impressive performance at the 2007 Asian Cup. He scored against Qatar in the first match, who Japan tied 1-1. Japan won the next match, against United Arab Emirates and Takahara impressed coach Ivica Osim with two goals. In the quarterfinal match against rivals Australia, Takahara scored the tying goal and sent the game to penalty kicks. Although Takahara missed his spot-kick, heroic saves from goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi sent Japan through into the semifinals, where they lost to Saudi Arabia 2-3.
Career statistics
Club
- As of end of 2015 season
| Club | season | League | Cup | League Cup | Continantal | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Júbilo Iwata | 1998 | 20 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 4 | – | 28 | 9 | |
| 1999 | 21 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | – | 25 | 10 | ||
| 2000 | 24 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 26 | 10 | ||
| 2001 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | – | 15 | 10 | ||
| Total | 78 | 32 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 6 | – | 94 | 39 | ||
| Boca Juniors | 2001/02 | 6 | 1 | – | – | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | ||
| Total | 6 | 1 | – | – | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | |||
| Júbilo Iwata | 2002 | 27 | 26 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 30 | 26 | |
| Total | 27 | 26 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 30 | 26 | ||
| Hamburger SV | 2002/03 | 16 | 3 | – | – | – | 16 | 3 | |||
| 2003/04 | 29 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 37 | 4 | |
| 2004/05 | 31 | 7 | 1 | 0 | – | *1 | 0 | 33 | 7 | ||
| 2005/06 | 21 | 1 | 2 | 1 | – | *10 | 0 | 33 | 2 | ||
| Total | 97 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 119 | 16 | |
| Eintracht Frankfurt | 2006/07 | 30 | 11 | 4 | 4 | – | 5 | 2 | 39 | 17 | |
| 2007/08 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 10 | 1 | |||
| Total | 38 | 12 | 6 | 4 | – | 5 | 2 | 49 | 18 | ||
| Urawa Reds | 2008 | 27 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 35 | 8 |
| 2009 | 32 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | – | 40 | 6 | ||
| 2010 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | – | 5 | 1 | ||
| Total | 63 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 80 | 15 | |
| Suwon Samsung Bluewings | 2010 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 0 | – | 1 | 0 | 14 | 4 | |
| Total | 12 | 4 | 1 | 0 | – | 1 | 0 | 14 | 4 | ||
| Shimizu S-Pulse | 2011 | 28 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | – | 25 | 9 | |
| 2012 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 20 | 1 | ||
| Total | 46 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | – | 53 | 10 | ||
| Tokyo Verdy | 2013 | 41 | 11 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 41 | 11 | ||
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 41 | 11 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 41 | 11 | |||
| SC Sagamihara | 2014 | 21 | 5 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 21 | 5 | ||
| 2015 | 33 | 6 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 33 | 6 | |||
| Total | 54 | 11 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 54 | 11 | |||
| Career total | 462 | 129 | 23 | 7 | 32 | 12 | 24 | 3 | 541 | 151 | |
* Includes Intertoto Cup
International
- Source:
| International goals | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan national team | ||||||
| Year | Apps | Goals | ||||
| 2000 | 11 | 8 | ||||
| 2001 | 4 | 0 | ||||
| 2002 | 4 | 1 | ||||
| 2003 | 8 | 2 | ||||
| 2004 | 5 | 1 | ||||
| 2005 | 7 | 2 | ||||
| 2006 | 5 | 3 | ||||
| 2007 | 9 | 6 | ||||
| 2008 | 4 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 57 | 23 | ||||
| International goals | ||||||
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1. | February 16, 2000 | Macau, China |  Brunei | 9-0 | Won | 2000 AFC Asian Cup Qualification |
| 2. | February 16, 2000 | Macau, China | Brunei | 9-0 | Won | 2000 AFC Asian Cup Qualification |
| 3. | February 20, 2000 | Macau, China |  Macau | 3-0 | Won | 2000 AFC Asian Cup Qualification |
| 4. | October 14, 2000 | Sidon, Lebanon |  Saudi Arabia | 4-1 | Won | 2000 AFC Asian Cup Group Stage |
| 5. | October 17, 2000 | Sidon, Lebanon |  Uzbekistan | 8-1 | Won | 2000 AFC Asian Cup Group Stage |
| 6. | October 17, 2000 | Sidon, Lebanon | Uzbekistan | 8-1 | Won | 2000 AFC Asian Cup Group Stage |
| 7. | October 17, 2000 | Sidon, Lebanon | Uzbekistan | 8-1 | Won | 2000 AFC Asian Cup Group Stage |
| 8. | October 24, 2000 | Beirut, Lebanon |  Iraq | 4-1 | Won | 2000 AFC Asian Cup Quarter-Finals |
| 9. | March 27, 2002 | Łódź, Poland |  Poland | 2-0 | Won | Friendly |
| 10. | August 20, 2003 | Tokyo, Japan |  Nigeria | 3-0 | Won | Friendly |
| 11. | August 20, 2003 | Tokyo, Japan | Nigeria | 3-0 | Won | Friendly |
| 12. | March 31, 2004 | Jalan Besar, Singapore |  Singapore | 2-1 | Won | 2006 FIFA World Cup Qualification |
| 13. | September 7, 2005 | Rifu, Japan |  Honduras | 5-4 | Won | Friendly |
| 14. | October 8, 2005 | Riga, Latvia |  Latvia | 2-2 | Draw | Friendly |
| 15. | February 28, 2006 | Dortmund, Germany |  Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2-2 | Draw | Friendly |
| 16. | May 30, 2006 | Leverkusen, Germany |  Germany | 2-2 | Draw | Friendly |
| 17. | May 30, 2006 | Leverkusen, Germany | Germany | 2-2 | Draw | Friendly |
| 18. | March 24, 2007 | Yokohama, Japan |  Peru | 2-0 | Won | Friendly |
| 19. | June 1, 2007 | Fukuroi, Japan |  Montenegro | 2-0 | Won | Friendly |
| 20. | July 9, 2007 | Hanoi, Vietnam |  Qatar | 1-1 | Draw | 2007 AFC Asian Cup Group Stage |
| 21. | July 13, 2007 | Hanoi, Vietnam |  United Arab Emirates | 3-1 | Won | 2007 AFC Asian Cup Group Stage |
| 22. | July 13, 2007 | Hanoi, Vietnam | United Arab Emirates | 3-1 | Won | 2007 AFC Asian Cup Group Stage |
| 23. | July 21, 2007 | Hanoi, Vietnam |  Australia | 1-1 | Draw | 2007 AFC Asian Cup Quarter-Finals |
| Year | Apps | Goals | ||||
| 2000 | 11 | 8 | ||||
| 2001 | 4 | 0 | ||||
| 2002 | 4 | 1 | ||||
| 2003 | 8 | 2 | ||||
| 2004 | 5 | 1 | ||||
| 2005 | 7 | 2 | ||||
| 2006 | 5 | 3 | ||||
| 2007 | 9 | 6 | ||||
| 2008 | 4 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 57 | 23 | ||||
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1. | February 16, 2000 | Macau, China | Brunei | 9-0 | Won | 2000 AFC Asian Cup Qualification |
| 2. | February 16, 2000 | Macau, China | Brunei | 9-0 | Won | 2000 AFC Asian Cup Qualification |
| 3. | February 20, 2000 | Macau, China | Macau | 3-0 | Won | 2000 AFC Asian Cup Qualification |
| 4. | October 14, 2000 | Sidon, Lebanon | Saudi Arabia | 4-1 | Won | 2000 AFC Asian Cup Group Stage |
| 5. | October 17, 2000 | Sidon, Lebanon | Uzbekistan | 8-1 | Won | 2000 AFC Asian Cup Group Stage |
| 6. | October 17, 2000 | Sidon, Lebanon | Uzbekistan | 8-1 | Won | 2000 AFC Asian Cup Group Stage |
| 7. | October 17, 2000 | Sidon, Lebanon | Uzbekistan | 8-1 | Won | 2000 AFC Asian Cup Group Stage |
| 8. | October 24, 2000 | Beirut, Lebanon | Iraq | 4-1 | Won | 2000 AFC Asian Cup Quarter-Finals |
| 9. | March 27, 2002 | Łódź, Poland | Poland | 2-0 | Won | Friendly |
| 10. | August 20, 2003 | Tokyo, Japan | Nigeria | 3-0 | Won | Friendly |
| 11. | August 20, 2003 | Tokyo, Japan | Nigeria | 3-0 | Won | Friendly |
| 12. | March 31, 2004 | Jalan Besar, Singapore | Singapore | 2-1 | Won | 2006 FIFA World Cup Qualification |
| 13. | September 7, 2005 | Rifu, Japan | Honduras | 5-4 | Won | Friendly |
| 14. | October 8, 2005 | Riga, Latvia | Latvia | 2-2 | Draw | Friendly |
| 15. | February 28, 2006 | Dortmund, Germany | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2-2 | Draw | Friendly |
| 16. | May 30, 2006 | Leverkusen, Germany | Germany | 2-2 | Draw | Friendly |
| 17. | May 30, 2006 | Leverkusen, Germany | Germany | 2-2 | Draw | Friendly |
| 18. | March 24, 2007 | Yokohama, Japan | Peru | 2-0 | Won | Friendly |
| 19. | June 1, 2007 | Fukuroi, Japan | Montenegro | 2-0 | Won | Friendly |
| 20. | July 9, 2007 | Hanoi, Vietnam | Qatar | 1-1 | Draw | 2007 AFC Asian Cup Group Stage |
| 21. | July 13, 2007 | Hanoi, Vietnam | United Arab Emirates | 3-1 | Won | 2007 AFC Asian Cup Group Stage |
| 22. | July 13, 2007 | Hanoi, Vietnam | United Arab Emirates | 3-1 | Won | 2007 AFC Asian Cup Group Stage |
| 23. | July 21, 2007 | Hanoi, Vietnam | Australia | 1-1 | Draw | 2007 AFC Asian Cup Quarter-Finals |
Honors and awards
Club
- FIFA World Youth Championship Runner-Up: 1999
- AFC U-17 Championship: 1994
- AFC Asian Cup: 2000
- AFC Champions League: 1998–99
- Asian Super Cup: 1999
- J1 League: 1999, 2002
- DFB-Ligapokal: 2003
- UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2005
Individual
- AFC U-19 Championship top scorer: 1998
- AFC Asian Cup Best Eleven: 2000
- Selected to AFC All Star Team: 2000
- J.League Most Valuable Player: 2002
- J.League Top Scorer: 2002
- J.League Best XI: 2002
- AFC Asian Cup top scorer: 2007