In the world of Asian football, 2002 will forever be etched in history as the year the FIFA World Cup took place on the continent. Co-hosted by Japan and South Korea, this watershed moment not only showcased the prowess of the Asian teams but also paved the way for their players to make a mark in Europe. One team, in particular, stood out – the Samurai Blue of Japan, led by their mercurial playmaker, Shinji Ono. With his recent retirement announcement at the age of 44, it is time to reflect on the legacy of Japan’s 2002 World Cup heroes.
While Ono’s career may have gradually winded down in Japan over the past decade, it is impossible to ignore the impact he made on the game. At his peak, Ono was a talent to behold, earning a move to Eredivisie giants Feyenoord at just 21 years old. Despite battling injuries, he managed to lift the UEFA Cup with Feyenoord in 2002, showcasing his undeniable talent on the European stage. Ono also had a brilliant stint in Australia’s A-League with Western Sydney Wanderers, even in the twilight of his career.
Hidetoshi Nakata, widely regarded as Japan’s greatest player ever, made his move to Europe right after the 1998 World Cup. Joining Perugia in Serie A, Nakata took Italian football by storm with ten league goals in his debut season. His biggest moment came when he joined Roma, playing second fiddle to club icon Francesco Totti. Nakata’s impact off the bench was remarkable, including a stunning 30-yard effort that sparked a fightback against Juventus. This pivotal goal salvaged a 2-2 draw and contributed to Roma winning the Scudetto for the first time in 18 years. Despite a brief stint in the Premier League with Bolton Wanderers, Nakata shocked his fans by retiring at the tender age of 29.
Junichi Inamoto, once unfairly labeled a marketing ploy during his loan spell at Arsenal in 2001, proved his worth in the Premier League. Although he never made a league appearance for the Gunners, Inamoto showcased his ability with notable spells at Fulham and West Brom. He further expanded his horizons, playing in Turkey, Germany, and France, accumulating 82 caps for Japan along the way. Inamoto’s association with the Samurai Blue didn’t end there – he reunited with Ono at Consadole between 2015 and 2018. Remarkably, he is still officially playing in the fifth tier of Japanese football, making him the last active player from the 2002 Japan team after Ono’s retirement.
Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, Japan’s goalkeeper in both the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, ventured to Europe before the 2002 edition. During his time with Portsmouth, he made 11 appearances in his first year, contributing to the team’s promotion to the Premier League. Despite being Japan’s long-term rival Seigo Narazaki as the first-choice goalkeeper, Kawaguchi showcased his skills with a staggering 421 top-flight appearances in Japanese football. His time at Jubilo Iwata and Yokohama F. Marinos solidified his reputation as a reliable goalkeeper in Japanese football.
Koji Nakata, often overshadowed by his namesake Nakata, had a successful stint in Europe, joining Marseille in 2005 under the guidance of Japan’s 2002 World Cup coach, Philippe Troussier. Unfortunately, Troussier’s dismissal led to an upheaval, but Nakata remained an ever-reliable defender. He then joined Basel, where he enjoyed two productive years, even featuring regularly in European continental football. Nakata ultimately returned to his original club, Kashima Antlers, with a sense of accomplishment and pride.
A prolific scorer with Kashima, Atsushi Yanagisawa started all three of Japan’s group-stage games in the 2002 World Cup. Despite not finding the back of the net, he made a lasting impression and was eventually lured to Italy, signing for Sampdoria. Although he failed to score in Serie A, Yanagisawa’s career was filled with success. He retired in 2014 as a five-time J1 League and three-time Emperor’s Cup champion, as well as an AFC Asian Cup winner with Japan in 2000, leaving a legacy as one of the few players from the 2002 Japan team to have played in Europe.
Kazuyuki Toda, a tough-tackling defensive midfielder, captured attention with his striking red hair during the 2002 World Cup. While his loan spell at Tottenham only resulted in four Premier League appearances, Toda continued his football journey in the Netherlands with ADO Den Haag. As his career progressed, he embraced the life of a journeyman, plying his trade in various leagues before ending up in Singapore with Warriors FC. Despite limited international caps, Toda is now pursuing a career in coaching, leading Japanese third-tier outfit SC Sagamihara.
As Japan’s 2002 World Cup heroes bow out of the game one by one, their impact on the sport is undeniable. These pioneers paved the way for future generations, inspiring a wave of Japanese talent to make their mark on the global stage. The legacy of the Samurai Blue continues to shine brightly, reminding us of the indelible mark they left on Asian and world football.