Naohiro Takahara

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Takahara's international career began at youth level. In August 1995, he was selected by the Japan U17 national team for the 1995 U-17 World Championship, playing all three matches and scoring one goal. In April 1999, he was selected for the Japan U-20 national team for the 1999 World Youth Championship, playing all seven matches and scoring three goals as Japan achieved second place. He debuted for the senior Japan national team on 13 February 2000 against Singapore during 2000 Asian Cup qualification, scoring three goals in three matches as Japan qualified. In September 2000, he played for the Japan U23 national team at the 2000 Summer Olympics, playing all four matches and scoring three goals. At the 2000 Asian Cup in October, he played five matches and scored five goals as Japan won the champions. He missed the 2002 FIFA World Cup due to lung disease (venous thrombosis). After the 2002 World Cup, he played at the 2003 Confederations Cup. In 2006, he was selected for the 2006 World Cup and played all three matches. After the 2006 World Cup, he played at the 2007 Asian Cup, playing six matches and scoring four goals to become top scorer. He played 57 games and scored 23 goals for Japan until 2008.

In Their Own Story

At the 2007 Asian Cup, Takahara finished as top scorer after an impressive performance. He scored against Qatar in the first match, which Japan tied 1–1. In the next match against the United Arab Emirates, Takahara impressed coach Ivica Osim with two goals. In the quarterfinal match against rivals Australia, Takahara scored the tying goal and sent the game to penalty kicks. Although Takahara missed his spot-kick, saves from goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi sent Japan through into the semifinals, where they lost to Saudi Arabia 3–2.

Reader's Guide

Takahara's club career started after graduating from high school, joining Júbilo Iwata in 1998. In 1998, the club won the J.League Cup and he was selected for the New Hero awards. In 1999, the club won the J1 League and the Asian Club Championship. In August 2001, he moved to Boca Juniors on loan, becoming the first Japanese player to play in the Argentine Primera División. He returned to Júbilo Iwata in 2002, where the club won the 2002 J.League Division 1, and Takahara became the top scorer and was elected Most Valuable Player of the year. After the 2002 season, he moved to Hamburger SV, making his Bundesliga debut in January 2003 against Hannover 96, becoming the third Japanese footballer to play in the Bundesliga. On 3 December 2006, he scored his first hat-trick in the Bundesliga against Alemannia Aachen. In January 2008, he moved to Urawa Reds for a transfer fee of around ¥180 million. Due to a disagreement with coach Volker Finke, he was loaned to Suwon Samsung Bluewings in July 2010. He made his debut on 31 July 2010 against Gwangju FC. On 29 August, he scored a goal against FC Seoul, helping his team win 4-2 and winning MVP. In 2011, he returned to Japan and signed with Shimizu S-Pulse. He later played for Tokyo Verdy (2013–14) and SC Sagamihara (2014–15). In December 2015, along with Japanese judoka Tadahiro Nomura, he founded Okinawa SV, serving as club president, player, and captain. On 27 November 2022, he brought the club a first-time promotion to the Japan Football League after a 4–0 win over FC Kariya. He featured in the match as a late substitution. On 31 August 2023, Takahara announced his retirement at the end of the season.

Did You Know?

• Takahara became the first Japanese player to play in the Argentine Primera División when he joined Boca Juniors on loan in August 2001.
• He missed the 2002 FIFA World Cup due to lung disease (venous thrombosis).
• Takahara scored his first Bundesliga hat-trick on 3 December 2006 against Alemannia Aachen.
• He co-founded Okinawa SV in December 2015 with Japanese judoka Tadahiro Nomura.
• Takahara was the top scorer at the 2007 Asian Cup, sharing the honour after scoring four goals.