is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a forward. He played for Japan national team.
He is best known for playing the majority of his career at Kashima Antlers, in addition to his spells with Italian sides Sampdoria and Messina.
Yanagisawa earned 58 caps for the Japan national team, and represented them at two FIFA World Cup, the 2000 Olympics and the 2000 AFC Asian Cup.
Club career Yanagisawa was born in Imizu on May 27, 1977. After graduating from high school, he joined Kashima Antlers in 1996. He debuted in May 1996. In 1997, he became a regular player and was selected Rookie of the Year awards. In 1990s, the club won the champions at 1996, 1998 J1 League, 1997 J.League Cup and 1997 Emperor's Cup. In Asia, the club won 3rd place at 1998–99 Asian Cup Winners' Cup. In 2000, the club won all three major title in Japan; J1 League, J.League Cup and Emperor's Cup. In 2001, the club won J1 League for two consecutive seasons and he was selected Japanese Footballer of the Year awards. In 2002, the club won J.League Cup.
In June 2003, Yanagisawa moved to Italian Serie A club Sampdoria. He moved to Messina in 2004.
In March 2006, Yanagisawa returned to Kashima Antlers. In 2007, the club won J1 League and Emperor's Cup. However his opportunity to play decreased behind young player Yuzo Tashiro and Shinzo Koroki. He moved to Kyoto Sanga FC in 2008. He scored 14 goals which is top score in Japanese player in the league. However he could not scored many goals from 2009. He moved to Vegalta Sendai in 2011. In March 2011, 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami occurred in wide area including Sendai. Although he did not play many matches, the club won the 4th place in 2011 and second place in 2012. He retired end of 2014 season.
International career In June 1997, Yanagisawa was selected Japan U20 national team for 1997 World Youth Championship. At this competition, he wore the number 10 shirt for Japan and played all five matches and scored four goals.
On February 15, 1998, Yanagisawa debuted for Japan national team against Australia. From 1999, he was selected Japan well by manager Philippe Troussier.
In September 2000, he also was selected Japan U23 national team for 2000 Summer Olympics. He played in all four matches and scored a goal against United States in Quarterfinal.
In October, he also played at 2000 AFC Asian Cup and Japan won the champions. In 2002, he was selected Japan for 2002 FIFA World Cup. He played as forward with club teammate Takayuki Suzuki in three games. He also played at 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2006 FIFA World Cup. He played 58 games and scored 17 goals for Japan until 2006.
Career statistics
Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionVegalta Sendai on December 4, 2014 J.League Data Site ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsKashima Antlers1996J1 League851061156199725852923912199832221050382219992692031311020002663130327200126121152321520022775130358200382000082Total1787118534623082Sampdoria2003–04Serie A15030–180Messina2004–05Serie A22041–2612005–067000–70Total29041–331Kashima Antlers2006J1 League234213128620071955262309Total42973935815Kyoto Sanga FC2008J1 League3214206140152009224215129620103132053386Total85216116510727Vegalta Sendai2011J1 League1710010181201216220402222013203100021320141311100142Total6674150758Career total41510836116414521133
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsJapan19982019994020001042001652002902003522004822005104200640Total5817
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Yanagisawa goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Atsushi YanagisawaNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 June 6, 2000 Rabat, Morocco 4–0 Hassan II International Cup2 June 18, 2000 Yokohama, Japan 2–0 2000 Kirin Cup3 4 October 14, 2000 Sidon, Lebanon 4–1 2000 AFC Asian Cup5 August 15, 2001 Fukuroi, Shizuoka, Japan 3–0 Friendly6 July 1, 2001 Sapporo, Japan 2–0 2001 Kirin Cup7 8 October 7, 2001 Southampton, England 2–2 Friendly9 November 7, 2001 Saitama, Japan 1–1 Friendly10 October 8, 2003 Tunis, Tunisia 1–0 Friendly11 October 11, 2003 Bucharest, Romania 1–1 Friendly12 February 12, 2004 Fukuroi, Shizuoka, Japan 2–0 Friendly13 July 9, 2004 Ōita, Japan 3–1 2004 Kirin Cup14 June 8, 2005 Bangkok, Thailand 2–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification15 June 16, 2005 Hanover, Germany 1–2 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup16 September 7, 2005 Rifu, Miyagi, Japan 5–4 Friendly17
Honors Kashima Antlers J1 League: 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2007 Emperor's Cup: 1997, 2000, 2007 J - League Cup: 1997, 2000, 2002 Japanese Super Cup: 1997, 1998, 1999
Japan AFC Asian Cup: 2000
Individual Asian Player of the Month: January 1998 J.League Rookie of the Year: 1997 J.League Best XI: 1998, 2001, 2008 Japanese Footballer of the Year: 2001
References
External links
Japan National Football Team Database