Keisuke Tsuboi

Keisuke Tsuboi (坪井 慶介, Tsuboi Keisuke, born 16 September 1979) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a defender.[2]

Keisuke Tsuboi
坪井 慶介
Personal information
Full nameKeisuke Tsuboi[1]
Date of birth (1979-09-16) 16 September 1979 (age 44)
Place of birthTama, Tokyo, Japan
Height1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)Defender
Youth career
1995–1997Yokkaichi Chuo Kogyo High School
College career
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1998–2001Fukuoka University
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2002–2014Urawa Red Diamonds292(1)
2015–2017Shonan Bellmare28(0)
2018–2019Renofa Yamaguchi28(0)
Total348(1)
International career
2003–2007Japan40(0)
Medal record
Urawa Red Diamonds
WinnerAFC Champions League2007
WinnerJ1 League2006
Runner-upJ1 League2004
Runner-upJ1 League2005
Runner-upJ1 League2007
Runner-upJ1 League2014
WinnerJ.League Cup2003
Runner-upJ.League Cup2002
Runner-upJ.League Cup2004
Runner-upJ.League Cup2011
Runner-upJ.League Cup2013
WinnerEmperor's Cup2005
WinnerEmperor's Cup2006
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Tsuboi was educated at and played for Yokkaichi Chuo Kogyo High School and Fukuoka University.

After graduating from the university in 2002, he joined Urawa Red Diamonds and immediately broke into the first team. His first appearance came on 3 March 2002 against Yokohama F. Marinos in opening game in 2002 season. He scored his first league goal on 17 May 2003 against Gamba Osaka. He won the Rookie of the Year award in 2002 and was selected as one of the J.League Best Eleven in 2003. In 2006, Reds won the champions in J1 League which is first J1 champions in the club history. In 2007, Reds won first Asian title AFC Champions League. Although he played many matches as regular center back until 2010, he could not play many matches from 2011.

In 2015, Tsuboi moved to Shonan Bellmare.[3] However he could not play many matches and Bellmare was relegated to J2 League end of 2016 season. In 2018, he moved to J2 club Renofa Yamaguchi FC.[4]

International career

Tsuboi represented Japan for the 2001 Summer Universiade held in Beijing where the team won the title beating Ukraine in the final.

Japan's national coach Zico gave him the first cap in 2003 when he played Tsuboi on 11 June 2003 in a friendly against Paraguay at Saitama Stadium.[5] He was a member of the Japan team for 2006 FIFA World Cup where he played 2 games against Australia and Brazil.[5] In Japan's first match against Australia, he suffered from cramps in his both thighs and had to be replaced by Teruyuki Moniwa in the 56th minute.

He was also in the squad for 2007 Asian Cup but did not play any game in the tournament as Yuki Abe and Yuji Nakazawa were the first-choice centre backs.

On 8 February 2008, he announced retirement from international football.[6] He played 40 games for Japan until 2007.[5]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[7][8]
ClubSeasonLeagueEmperor's CupLeague CupChampions LeagueOther[a]Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Fukuoka University19993030
Urawa Red Diamonds20023001080390
200330110110421
20041401000150
20053305020400
2006270201010310
2007310100012040480
2008210206040330
20092901070370
20103104030380
2011503020100
20123301010350
201370201020120
201410101030
Shonan Bellmare2015801061151
20161501040200
2017502070
Renofa Yamaguchi201823010240
2019501060
Career total3481340531180504582

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[5]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Japan2003110
2004100
200570
2006110
200710
Total400

Honours

Urawa Reds

Shonan Bellmare

Individual

References