is a former Japanese football player who played for Japan national team.
Club career Sakai was born in Misato on 29 June 1979. He joined JEF United Ichihara from youth team in 1997. He played many matches as defensive midfielder from first season. He moved to Nagoya Grampus Eight in 2001. He also played as right midfielder not only defensive midfielder. His opportunity to play decreased from the middle of 2003. He moved to Urawa Reds in 2004. Although he did not have much opportunity to play, the club won the 2nd place in 2004 and 2005 J1 League and the champions 2005 Emperor's Cup. He moved to Vissel Kobe in July 2007 and Fujieda MYFC in 2009. From 2010, he moved to Indonesia and played for Pelita Jaya, Persiwa Wamena, Persiram Raja Ampat and Deltras Sidoarjo. He retired in 2013.
National team career In August 1995, Sakai was selected Japan U-17 national team for 1995 U-17 World Championship. He played full-time in all 3 matches. In April 1999, he was also selected Japan U-20 national team for 1999 World Youth Championship. He played full-time in all 7 matches as right midfielder and Japan won the 2nd place.
In September 2000, Sakai was selected Japan U-23 national team for 2000 Summer Olympics who carried high hopes of the nation because Sakai's teammates included such household names as Hidetoshi Nakata, Shunsuke Nakamura and Naohiro Takahara. Sakai played all 4 matches. However, in the team's quarterfinal match, Sakai committed a foul inside his own box at the 90th minute, conceding the United States, Japan's opponents, a crucial penalty to make it 2-2. The United States went on to win the penalty shootouts after 120 minutes of play could not separate the two teams.
On 20 December 2000, Sakai debuted for Japan national team against South Korea.Japan National Football Team Database
Club statistics JapanLeagueEmperor's CupJ.League CupTotalSeasonClubLeagueAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals1997JEF United IchiharaJ1 League18220102121998250106132119992201100231200027131203222001Nagoya Grampus EightJ1 League253106032320022913060381200317100302012004Urawa RedsJ1 League19130712922005182406028220063030511112007000000002007Vissel KobeJ1 League10020001202008000000002009Fujieda MYFCPrefectural Leagues83--83Indonesia League Piala Indonesia League Cup Total2010/11Pelita JayaSuper League111--1112010/11Persiwa Wamena120--1202011/12Persiram Raja Ampat332--332 Country Japan2211423242328619Indonesia563--563Total2771723242334222
Honors and awards Club honors Urawa Reds J1 League (1): 2006 Emperor's Cup (2): 2005, 2006
Country honors FIFA World Youth Championship runner-up: 1999
References
External links
Japan National Football Team Database