Nobuyuki Zaizen

Nobuyuki Zaizen
Personal information
Date of birth (1976-10-19) 19 October 1976 (age 48)
Place of birth Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1989–1994 Verdy Kawasaki
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–1998 Verdy Kawasaki 0 (0)
1996 → Logroñés (loan) 0 (0)
1999 Rijeka 0 (0)
1999–2005 Vegalta Sendai 154 (18)
2006–2009 Montedio Yamagata 105 (5)
2010 Muangthong United 11 (0)
2011 BEC Tero Sasana 10 (0)
Total 280 (23)
International career
1993 Japan U17 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Nobuyuki Zaizen (財前 宣之, Zaizen Nobuyuki, born 19 October 1976) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Early and personal life

Zaizen was born in Muroran on 19 October 1976.[1][2] His elder brother Keiichi is also a former footballer.[3]

Club career

He joined Verdy Kawasaki from their youth team in 1995.[2] In 1996, he moved to La Liga club Logroñés on loan.[4] However he could not play in the match for injury and returned to Japan.[2] He debuted in 1998 J.League Cup.[1] Through Croatian club Rijeka,[2] he joined J2 League club Vegalta Sendai in 1999.[1][2] He played as offensive midfielder in many matches.[5][6] In 2001, he became a regular player and the club was promoted to J1 League first time in the club history.[7] From 2002, although his opportunity to play decreased and the club was relegated J2 League end of 2003 season, he played as regular player again from 2004.[8] He moved to Montedio Yamagata in 2006.[1] In 2008, although his opportunity to play decreased, the club was promoted to J1 League first time in the club history.[9] In 2010, he moved to Thailand and played for Muangthong United (2010) and BEC Tero Sasana (2011).[2] He announced his retirement in January 2012.[10]

National team career

In August 1993, Zaizen was part of the Japanese under-17 team at the 1993 U-17 World Championship, playing in all 4 matches.[11][12] He was selected a member of the 'All Star' team at the tournament.[13]

Club statistics

Club performance League Cup League Cup Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Japan League Emperor's Cup J.League Cup Total
1995 Verdy Kawasaki J1 League 0 0 0 0 - 0 0
1997 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1998 0 0 0 0 4 0 4 0
1999 Vegalta Sendai J2 League 6 1 0 0 0 0 6 1
2000 20 2 1 0 0 0 21 2
2001 39 7 3 0 1 0 43 7
2002 J1 League 18 0 2 1 6 0 26 1
2003 8 0 1 0 4 1 13 1
2004 J2 League 36 5 0 0 - 36 5
2005 27 3 1 0 - 28 3
2006[14] Montedio Yamagata J2 League 35 4 0 0 - 35 4
2007 38 1 2 0 - 40 1
2008 21 0 0 0 - 21 0
2009 J1 League 11 0 2 0 4 0 17 0
Total 259 23 12 1 19 1 290 25

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Nobuyuki Zaizen at J.League (archive) (in Japanese)
  2. ^ a b c d e f "元Ｊリーガー財前氏 熱い思いを子供たちへ伝えたい - サッカー : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com.
  3. ^ J.League Data Site(in Japanese)
  4. ^ Nobuyuki Zaizen at BDFutbol
  5. ^ J.League(in Japanese)
  6. ^ J.League(in Japanese)
  7. ^ J.League (in Japanese)
  8. ^ J.League (in Japanese)
  9. ^ J.League
  10. ^ "2012年01月19日 : zai's blog - ライブドアブログ". blog.livedoor.jp.
  11. ^ Nobuyuki Zaizen – FIFA competition record (archived)
  12. ^ FIFA Technical Report (page 28)
  13. ^ FIFA Technical Report (page 56)
  14. ^ 財前宣之選手 ムアントン・ユナイテッドへ完全移籍のお知らせ at Montedio Yamagata (in Japanese)