is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Club career He first played for Yokohama Flügels youth team but became a Yokohama F. Marinos youth player when both teams merged in 1999. He was promoted to the top team in 2001. His first league appearance came on June 16, 2001 in a 0-2 defeat by FC Tokyo at the International Stadium Yokohama. His first league goal came on August 18, 2001 when he scored the lone goal against Kashiwa Reysol at Kashiwanoha Stadium. He became a regular player from 2003. The club won the champions 2003 and 2004 J1 League.
Sakata joined Super League Greece side Aris in 2011 after ten years at Yokohama F. Marinos but only stayed for a short time before returning to FC Tokyo for the 2nd half of the season.
In January 2012 it was announced he had signed for Avispa Fukuoka in J2 League. Avispa won the 3rd place in 2015 J2 League and was promoted to J1 League. However Avispa finished at the bottom place in 2016 J1 League and was relegated to J2 in a year. He opted to retire end of 2017 season.Avispa Fukuoka
National team career He was a member of the Japan U-20 national team for the 2002 AFC Youth Championship in Qatar. The team finished runners-up and was qualified for the 2003 World Youth Championship.
At the World Youth Championship hosted by United Arab Emirates, he scored 4 goals in the tournament including against South Korea at knockout stage and became one of the top scorers along with Fernando Cavenaghi (Argentine), Dudu (Brazil) and Eddie Johnson (United States). The team exited at the quarter-final stage after beaten by Brazil.
He made his full international debut for Japan on August 9, 2006 in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago at the Tokyo National Stadium when he replaced Alessandro Santos in the 86th minute.
Personal life Sakata married actress and TV Tarento Sayaka Fukuoka in February 2009．
Club statistics Avispa Fukuoka Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Japan League Emperor's Cup J.League Cup AFC Total2001Yokohama F. MarinosJ1 League1120050-16220021912100-21220032561061-327200428101151413813200529520412137720061943220-246200734102293-451520083213071-422200930632101-43920102011040-251 Greece League Greek Cup League Cup Europe Total2011ArisSuper League60–––60 Japan League Emperor's Cup J.League Cup AFC Total2011FC TokyoJ2 League10120––1212012Avispa FukuokaJ2 League40810––4182013401100––4011201431510––325201535330––3832016J1 League2420050–2922017J2 League31100––311 Total Japan458772585786254695 Greece60–––60 Career total464772585786255295
National team statistics
Japan national teamYearAppsGoals200610Total10
Honors and awards Team honors Yokohama F. Marinos J1 League: 2003, 2004 J.League Cup: 2001 Japanese Super Cup: 2004, 2005
Personal awards 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship: Silver Shoe J1 League Fair Play Player Award: 2007
References
External links
Japan National Football Team Database
Profile at Avispa Fukuoka Profile at Yokohama F. Marinos