Shū Kurata is a Japanese international football player known for his skills as a midfielder.
He began his professional career with Gamba Osaka in 2007, where he developed as a player.
Kurata played a pivotal role in Gamba Osaka's 2008 AFC Champions League victory, contributing to the team's success.
Biography
Early Life
Shū Kurata is a talented Japanese football player, born and raised in Osaka, Japan. He began his football journey in the youth ranks of Gamba Osaka, where he honed his skills and developed a passion for the game. His dedication and talent led him to join the first-team squad ahead of the 2007 season.
Career
Kurata made his professional debut in 2007, although his first season saw limited playtime with just six league appearances. However, he quickly made a name for himself in the following years, contributing significantly to Gamba Osaka's success. In 2008, he played a crucial role in the team’s triumph in the AFC Champions League and the Emperor's Cup. Despite struggling for game time in 2009, he showcased his potential during loan spells at JEF United Chiba and Cerezo Osaka, where he scored 10 goals in 33 league matches in 2011.
In 2013, Kurata helped Gamba Osaka secure promotion back to the J1 League, and the following year, he was part of the squad that achieved a domestic treble, winning the J1 title, J.League Cup, and Emperor's Cup. His international career began in 2015 when he earned his first cap for the Japan national team, later scoring in key matches, including a friendly against New Zealand.
Legacy
Throughout his career, Kurata has accumulated numerous honors, including multiple Emperor's Cup titles and the prestigious AFC Champions League trophy. His journey from a youth player to an international star exemplifies his commitment to football and his impact on Japanese football history.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
A native of Osaka, Kurata came up through the youth team ranks at Gamba Osaka and made his way into the first-team squad ahead of the 2007 season. Owing to his tender years, he played just 6 league matches in his debut season as a professional, but the following year he went on to make 21 appearances in all competitions as Gamba lifted the 2008 AFC Champions League and the 2008 Emperor's Cup. The Osaka giants retained their Emperor's Cup title in 2009, however Kurata only featured 4 times throughout the year as he struggled to break into their star-studded starting line-up. To gain more first-team experience he was sent out on loan, first to J2 League side JEF United in 2010 and then to city rivals Cerezo Osaka in 2011. He netted an impressive 10 goals in 33 league games with Cerezo and this form was enough to earn him a recall to Gamba's first-team in 2012. His first season back in north Osaka saw Gamba finish 17th in the J1 League which sent them down to Japan's second tier for the first time in their history. Kurata netted 8 times in 28 J2 appearances in 2013 as Gamba bounced back at the first time of asking, securing the league title with 87 points from 42 games. 2014 was a dream for Gamba as not only did they return to Japan's top flight but they also helped themselves to a domestic treble; lifting the J1 title as well as the J.League Cup and Emperor's Cup. Kurata scored 11 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions, a personal best for him in the blue and…
On 23 July 2015, Japan's coach Vahid Halilhodžić called him up for the upcoming 2015 EAFF East Asian Cup. He earned his first international cap in a 1–1 draw with China on August 5. His next national team involvement would come as a second-half substitute in Japan's 2–0 victory away to the United Arab Emirates in March 2017. He followed that up by playing both games in Japan's double header against Syria and Iraq in June with both matches finishing 1-1. October 2017 would prove to be a high point in his international career as he scored in both the 2-1 friendly victory over New Zealand on October 6 and the 3–3 draw at home to Haiti 4 days later. He was named in the squad for the 2017 EAFF E-1 Football Championship in December 2017 and started all 3 of Japan's games; the victories over North Korea and China as well as the 4–1 defeat to South Korea in the decisive match of the tournament which saw Japan finish as runners-up.
- Club
- Gamba Osaka (2007–2009)
- Club
- JEF United Chiba (2010–2010)
- Club
- Cerezo Osaka (2011–2011)
- Club
- Japan men's national football team (2015–)
- Club
- Japan national under-17 football team (2003–2005)
- Club
- Japan national under-20 association football team (2005–2008)
- National team
- Japan
Legacy
Updated to 2018 season.
AFC Champions League - 2008 AFC Champions League Two: 2025–26 Pan-Pacific Championship - 2008 J. League Division 1 - 2014 J. League Division 2 - 2013 Emperor's Cup - 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015 J. League Cup - 2007, 2014 Japanese Super Cup - 2015
Clubs
- Japan men's national football team2015current
- Japan national under-17 football team2003–2005
- Japan national under-20 association football team2005–2008
- Gamba Osaka2007–2009
- JEF United Chiba2010–2010
- Cerezo Osaka2011–2011
Played together with
- Ademar da Silva Braga JúniorCerezo Osaka · 1995–1995
Ademilson Braga Bispo JuniorGamba Osaka · 2016
Adi RochaGamba Osaka · 2013–2013
Ado OnaiwuJEF United Chiba · 2014
Adriano Ferreira MartinsCerezo Osaka · 2010–2010- Adriano Ferreira MartinsGamba Osaka · 2011–2011
Akhrik TsveibaGamba Osaka · 1994–1996- Aki ArimizuCerezo Osaka
- Akihiro HyodoJEF United Chiba · 2012–2014
Akihiro IenagaCerezo Osaka · 2010–2010- Akihiro IenagaGamba Osaka · 2004–2010
- Akihiro IenagaGamba Osaka · 2012–2013
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Shu Kurata is a Japanese international football player currently playing for Gamba Osaka in the J1 League. His regular playing position is an attacking midfielder or a winger.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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