Shinji Okazaki

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Okazaki's international career began after he competed for Japan's under-23 team at the 2008 Olympic Games in China. He made his full senior debut against the United Arab Emirates in October 2008. In October 2009, Okazaki scored hat-tricks in consecutive matches as Japan beat Hong Kong 6–0 and Togo 5–0. He was named The World's Top Goal Scorer of 2009 by the IFFHS for his 15 goals with the national team. Okazaki was included in the 2010 FIFA World Cup squad and appeared as a substitute in all four of Japan's matches. He scored once in the final Group E match, a 3–1 defeat of Denmark, to send Japan into the second round. On 8 October 2010, Okazaki scored as Japan beat Argentina 1–0 in a friendly match to record its first ever win over the 1978 and 1986 world champions. At the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, Okazaki scored his third international hat-trick in a 5–0 Group B win against Saudi Arabia. He then scored his kick in the semi-final shootout win over South Korea and played all 120 minutes of the final as Japan beat Australia to win the trophy for a fourth time. Okazaki finished as top goalscorer in the Asian section of qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup with eight goals. Okazaki scored twice at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, against Italy and Mexico respectively, though Japan lost all three matches. In the 2014 FIFA World Cup, he scored Japan's only goal in a 4–1 defeat to Colombia with a header in the 45th minute. Okazaki was included in Japan's squad for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup and scored in a 4–0 defeat of Palestine during the group stage. In March 2016, he was presented with a commemorative shirt with 100 on the back to celebrate his 100th international appearance for Japan.

In Their Own Story

The stadium lights hummed over the damp grass as Shinji Okazaki adjusted his jersey for the final time before kickoff. The roar of the crowd was familiar, yet today felt different—a culmination of years of relentless running and silent determination. He looked toward the goal, not imagining glory, but visualizing the next pass. For Okazaki, every match was a duty to the badge on his chest. As he stepped onto the pitch, the weight of history followed him, but his stride remained light, ready to give everything for one last moment in blue.

Reader's Guide

Shinji Okazaki is Japan's third all-time top goalscorer with 50 international goals. He made his full international debut in October 2008 against the United Arab Emirates. His first goal came on 20 January 2009 in a 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Yemen. In October 2009, Okazaki scored hat-tricks in consecutive matches as Japan beat Hong Kong 6–0 and Togo 5–0. He was named The World's Top Goal Scorer of 2009 by the IFFHS for his 15 goals with the national team. Okazaki appeared as a substitute in all four of Japan's matches at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, scoring once in a 3–1 defeat of Denmark to send Japan into the second round. He scored as Japan beat Argentina 1–0 in a friendly on 8 October 2010, recording Japan's first ever win over the world champions. At the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, Okazaki scored a hat-trick against Saudi Arabia, converted a penalty in the semi-final shootout against South Korea, and played all 120 minutes of the final as Japan beat Australia to win the trophy. Okazaki finished as top goalscorer in Asian qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup with eight goals. He scored twice at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, against Italy and Mexico. At the 2014 FIFA World Cup, he scored Japan's only goal in a 4–1 defeat to Colombia. He scored in a 4–0 defeat of Palestine at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. In March 2016, he was presented with a commemorative shirt for his 100th international appearance. Okazaki is currently the top active Japan national team goalscorer and third all-time in team history with 50 international goals.

Did You Know?

• Okazaki was named The World's Top Goal Scorer of 2009 by the IFFHS for his 15 goals with the national team.
• He scored hat-tricks in consecutive matches in October 2009, against Hong Kong and Togo.
• Okazaki scored Japan's first ever win over Argentina in a friendly on 8 October 2010.
• He finished as top goalscorer in Asian qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup with eight goals.
• Okazaki is Japan's third all-time top goalscorer with 50 international goals.