Stats by Nakayama#9.
Name: Kōji Nakata
Nickname: ''Thr other Nakata''
Country:
JapanClub: Kashima Antlers
Number: 6, 22
Position: *DMF, WB, SB, CB
Side: LF/LS
Age: 20-24 years (07/09/1979)
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 74 kg
Attack: 75
Defence: 74
Balance: 80
Stamina: 87
Top Speed: 78
Acceleration: 79
Response: 79
Agility: 76
Dribble Accuracy: 76
Dribble Speed: 79
Short Pass Accuracy: 80
Short Pass Speed: 80
Long Pass Accuracy: 82
Long Pass Speed: 79
Shot Accuracy: 76
Shot Power: 82
Shot Technique: 73
Free Kick Accuracy: 72
Curling: 80
Header: 79
Jump: 80
Technique: 78
Aggression: 70
Mentality: 79
Keeper Skills: 50
Team Work: 83
Injury Tolerance: C
Condition: 5
Weak Foot Accuracy: 6
Weak Foot Frequency: 5
Consistency: 6
Growth type: Early Lasting
CARDS:
S02: Passer
S06: Outside Curve
S07: Man Marking
S09: Covering
P02: Anchor Man
SPECIAL ABILITIES: Passing - Outside - Marking - Covering
Attack/Defence Awareness Card: Defence Minded
INFO
The 'other Nakata', as he is known to most non-Japanese fans, is a left-footed midfielder. A very versatile player, Nakata has established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders for Japan. Although his preferred position is at defensive midfield, his versatility means he can also operate as left wing-back, his normal position with FC Basel.
In 2004, during the Asian Cup final versus China, Nakata gained notoriety amongst Chinese fans by scoring the second Japanese goal with his hand.[2] Despite Chinese protests, the goal was still allowed. The Chinese media refer to this incident as the "Hand of Koji" incident, alluding to Diego Maradona's infamous hand of god goal.
Nakata moved from Japanese giants Kashima Antlers to France at the start of 2005 when former Japan national team manager Philippe Troussier, then the Olympique Marseille coach, signed him in a deal. After an understandbly unhappy season in France (Troussier was sacked just a few months later), the frozen-out Nakata jumped at the chance to leave and by early 2006 had moved to Switzerland's top team FC Basel where he played as a defender. Kōji was highly rated by Japan coach Zico and is sometimes compared to Junichi Inamoto, also a defensive midfielder for Japan.[citation needed] He returned to J. League club Kashima Antlers in July 2008.
In October 2008 Nakata unerwent knee surgery, effectively ruling him out for the remainder of the 2008 J. League season after appearing in 12 games.
Honors and awards
Teams
Kashima Antlers
A3 Champions Cup - 2003
J. League Division 1 - 1998, 2000, 2001, 2008, 2009
Emperor's Cup - 2000, 2010
J. League Cup - 2000, 2002
Olympique Marseille
UEFA Intertoto Cup - 2005
FC Basel
Swiss Super League - 2007/08
Swiss Super League - 2005/06, 2006/07 (Runner-up)
Swiss Cup - 2006/07, 2007/08
Japan National Team
FIFA Confederations Cup - 2001 (Runner-up)
FIFA World Youth Championship - 1999 (Runner-up)
AFC Asian Cup - 2004
Individual
J. League Best Eleven - 2001
J. League Cup MVP - 2000