is a Japanese former football player who last played for Yokohama F. Marinos. He played for Japan national team.
Club career Kurihara was born in Yokohama on 18 September 1983. He joined J1 League club Yokohama F. Marinos from youth team in 2002. Although he debuted as center back in 2003, he could not play many matches behind Japan national team player Naoki Matsuda and Yuji Nakazawa. In 2006, he became a regular player as stopper of three backs defense with Matsuda and Nakazawa. From 2007, he played many matches as center back with Nakazawa of four backs defense. After that, he played many matches as center back for a long time of four backs or three backs defense. In 2013, Marinos won the 2nd place in J1 League and the champions in Emperor's Cup. However his opportunity to play decreased from 2015. He retired from football at the end of the 2019 season.
National team career In November 2003, Kurihara was selected Japan U-20 national team for 2003 World Youth Championship. He played in 2 matches.
After 2006 World Cup, Ivica Osim became a new manager for Japan national team. His first match on August 9, Kurihara debuted for Japan against Trinidad and Tobago at the Tokyo National Stadium when he replaced Keisuke Tsuboi in the 60th minute.Japan National Football Team Database However he could not play at all in the match after the debut. In April 2010, he played for Japan under manager Takeshi Okada against Serbia for the first time in 4 years. Although he was not select Japan for 2010 World Cup, he played several matches as center back every year under Alberto Zaccheroni after 2010 World Cup. In 2013, he was selected for 2013 Confederations Cup and 2013 East Asian Cup. At East Asian Cup, he played all 3 matches and Japan won the champions. This tournament is his last game for Japan. He played 20 games and scored 3 goals for Japan until 2013.
Club statistics Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, "2016J1&J2&J3選手名鑑", 10 February 2016, Japan, (p. 58 out of 289)
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeague Emperor's Cup J.League Cup Asia Other1 Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps GoalsYokohama F. Marinos2002J1000000--002003700020---902004802070423124320051311021404024220063013080--41120072511080--34020082404151--332200926320100--38320102820060--34220113033021--35420123103030--37020133126160--43320142932010401037320151100020--13020161212090--2312017802060--1602018301040--802019--Career total316163228131228144924
1Includes Japanese Super Cup and A3 Champions Cup.
J.League firsts Appearance: 26 April 2003. Yokohama F. Marinos 1 vs. 3 JEF United Ichihara, Ichihara Stadium Goal: 20 August 2005. Yokohama F. Marinos 1 vs. 3 Júbilo Iwata, Shizuoka Stadium
National team statistics
Japan national teamYearAppsGoals200610200700200800200900201040201130201252201371Total203
International goals Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first. No Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 8 June 2012 Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan 6–0 6–0 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification 2. 12 June 2012 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia 1–0 1–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification 3. 21 July 2013 Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea 1–1 3–3 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup.
Honours
Club Yokohama F. Marinos J1 League: 2003, 2004 Emperor's Cup: 2013
Japan EAFF East Asian Cup: 2013
References
External links
Japan National Football Team Database
Yuzo Kurihara – Yokohama F. Marinos official site Yuzo Kurihara – Yahoo! Japan sports