Atsushi Yanagisawa

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Yanagisawa debuted for Japan on February 15, 1998 against Australia. From 1999, he was selected regularly by manager Philippe Troussier. In September 2000, he played for Japan U23 at the 2000 Summer Olympics, scoring a goal against the United States in the quarterfinal. In October 2000, he played at the 2000 AFC Asian Cup, which Japan won. At the 2002 FIFA World Cup, he played as a forward with club teammate Takayuki Suzuki in three games. He also played at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He played 58 games and scored 17 goals for Japan until 2006.

In Their Own Story

The stadium roared as Yanagisawa sprinted onto a through ball, the defender a step behind. He had one thought: finish. The goalkeeper rushed out, but Yanagisawa's touch was perfect—a low, driven shot that skimmed the wet grass and nestled into the far corner. In that moment, he wasn't just a player; he was the heartbeat of a nation's footballing dream, a blur of white and blue that turned a hopeful pass into a memory etched in time.

Reader's Guide

Atsushi Yanagisawa made his senior national team debut in 1998 and went on to earn 58 caps, scoring 17 goals. He represented Japan at the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups, as well as the 2000 AFC Asian Cup, winning the latter in 2000. At club level, he starred for Kashima Antlers, winning multiple J1 League titles, and later played in Italy's Serie A for Sampdoria and Messina. His legacy endures as a symbol of Japan's rise in world football, inspiring a generation of young strikers with his relentless energy and goal-scoring instinct.

Did You Know?

• Yanagisawa wore the number 10 shirt for Japan at the 1997 World Youth Championship and scored four goals in five matches.
• He debuted for Japan on February 15, 1998 against Australia.
• He scored a goal against the United States in the quarterfinal of the 2000 Summer Olympics.
• He played as a forward with club teammate Takayuki Suzuki in three games at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
• Yanagisawa won the J.League Rookie of the Year award in 1997 and the Japanese Footballer of the Year award in 2001.