Akira Kaji

Akira Kaji (加地 亮, Kaji Akira, born January 13, 1980) is a former Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.

Akira Kaji
Kaji playing for Gamba Osaka in 2010
Personal information
Full name Akira Kaji
Date of birth (1980-01-13) January 13, 1980
Place of birth Minamiawaji, Hyogo, Japan
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
1995–1997 Takigawa Daini High School
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–1999 Cerezo Osaka 24 (0)
2000–2001 Oita Trinita 75 (3)
2002–2005 FC Tokyo 89 (1)
2006–2014 Gamba Osaka 225 (2)
2014 Chivas USA 15 (0)
2015–2017 Fagiano Okayama 86 (1)
Total 514 (7)
National team
1999 Japan U-20 3 (0)
2003–2008 Japan 64 (2)
Honours
FC Tokyo
WinnerJ.League Cup2004
Gamba Osaka
WinnerAFC Champions League2008
WinnerJ1 League2014
Runner-upJ1 League2010
WinnerJ.League Cup2007
WinnerJ.League Cup2014
WinnerEmperor's Cup2008
WinnerEmperor's Cup2009
WinnerEmperor's Cup2014
Runner-upEmperor's Cup2006
Runner-upEmperor's Cup2012
Representing  Japan
AFC Asian Cup
Gold medal – first place2004 China
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Silver medal – second place1999 Nigeria
AFC U-20 Asian Cup
Silver medal – second place1998 Thailand
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Biography

Kaji was born in Minamiawaji on January 13, 1980. After graduating from Takigawa Daini High School, he joined J1 League club Cerezo Osaka in 1998. In 2000, he moved to J2 League club Oita Trinita. He played as regular right side back in 2 seasons. In 2002, he moved to J1 club FC Tokyo. The club won the champions in 2004 J.League Cup which is first major title in the club history. In 2006, he moved to Gamba Osaka. The club won the champions in the 2007 J.League Cup, 2008 and 2009 Emperor's Cup. In Asia, the club won the champions 2008 AFC Champions League and the 3rd place 2008 Club World Cup. He played 225 matches for the club in 9 seasons. In summer 2014. he moved to Major League Soccer club Chivas USA. However, the club was disbanded in 2014, he returned to Japan and joined J2 League club Fagiano Okayama in 2015. He retired end of 2017 season.

Kaji was a member of the Japan U-20 national team for the 1999 World Youth Championship. He played 3 matches and Japan won the 2nd place. On October 8, 2003, Kaji debuted for the Japan national team against Tunisia. He became a regular player as right side back from 2004. In 2004, he was selected Japan for 2004 Asian Cup and Japan won the champions. He also played at 2006 World Cup and 2007 Asian Cup. However his opportunity to play decreased behind young player Atsuto Uchida in 2008. He played 64 games and scored 2 goals for Japan until 2008.

Statistics

[1][2]

Club statistics League CupLeague CupContinentalTotal
SeasonClubLeague AppsGoals AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
JapanLeague Emperor's Cup J.League Cup AsiaTotal
1998Cerezo OsakaJ1 League1501011-171
1999900000-90
2000Oita TrinitaJ2 League3432010-373
20014102040-470
2002FC TokyoJ1 League2011060-271
20032202060-300
20042203010-260
20052502000-270
2006Gamba OsakaJ1 League291510050392
20072814160-382
2008260504080430
2009200510010261
2010320202060420
2011300100060370
2012160501050270
2013J2 League38020--400
2014J1 League600000-60
United StatesLeague U.S. Open Cup MLS Cup Playoffs North AmericaTotal
2014Chivas USAMajor League Soccer150---150
JapanLeague Emperor's Cup J.League Cup AsiaTotal
2015Fagiano OkayamaJ2 League36010--370
201626100--261
201724000--240
CountryJapan 499743332131060511
United States 150---150
Total 514743332131062011

[3]

Japan national team
YearAppsGoals
200310
2004200
2005141
2006140
2007111
200840
Total642

References
  1. Akira Kaji at National-Football-Teams.com
  2. Akira Kaji at J.League (in Japanese)
  3. Japan National Football Team Database

Other websites
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