Yuhei Tokunaga is a former Japanese association football player known for his defensive skills.
He began his professional career with FC Tokyo in 2003, where he played until 2004 before returning in 2006.
Tokunaga made his debut for the Japan men's national football team in 2009, showcasing his talent on an international level.
Biography
Early Life
Yuhei Tokunaga was born on September 25, 1983, in Unzen, Japan. He pursued his education at Waseda University, where he also began to make a name for himself in football. His early career saw him play for FC Tokyo, where he first joined the team in 2003 while still a university student.
Career
Tokunaga's professional career took off when he became a regular player for FC Tokyo after graduating in 2006. He primarily played as a right side back, succeeding Akira Kaji, and contributed significantly to the team's success, including winning the J.League Cup in 2004 and 2009. Despite a challenging season in 2010 that led to FC Tokyo's relegation, Tokunaga helped the team bounce back by winning the J2 League and the Emperor's Cup in 2011. In 2018, he joined V-Varen Nagasaki, where he continued to play as a right back.
On the international stage, Tokunaga represented Japan at various levels, including the U-20 team during the 2003 World Youth Championship and the U-23 team at the 2004 Summer Olympics. He made his debut for the senior national team in 2009 and played until 2013, participating in the 2012 Summer Olympics and winning the East Asian Cup in 2013.
Legacy
Throughout his career, Tokunaga was known for his versatility on the field, often playing in multiple defensive positions. He played a total of nine matches for the Japan national team and left a mark in Japanese football history with his contributions to both club and country.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Tokunaga was born in Unzen on 25 September 1983. When he was a Waseda University student, he played for J1 League club FC Tokyo in 2003 and 2004. FC Tokyo won the champions in 2004 J.League Cup first major title in the club history. After graduating from Waseda University, he joined FC Tokyo in 2006. He became a regular player as right side back as Akira Kaji successor soon and played many matches every season for a long time. Although his original position is right side back, he also played as many defensive position. FC Tokyo won the champions in 2009 J.League Cup. In 2010, he played many matches as defensive midfielder instead Takuji Yonemoto, who was injured. However FC Tokyo finished at the 16th place of 18 clubs in 2010 season and was relegated to J2 League. In 2011, he returned to right side back and FC Tokyo won the champions and was returned to J1 in a year. FC Tokyo also won the champions in 2011 Emperor's Cup. He played as regular right side back until 2017. In 2018, he moved to his local club V-Varen Nagasaki which newly was promoted to J1 from 2018. He played many matches as right back of three backs defense. However V-Varen finished at the bottom place in 2018 season and was relegated to J2 in a year.
In November 2003, Tokunaga was selected Japan U-20 national team for 2003 World Youth Championship. At this tournament, he played full-time in all 5 matches as right side midfielder. Tokunaga was part of the Japan U-23 national team for 2004 Summer Olympics, who exited in the first round, having finished fourth in group B, below group winners Paraguay, Italy and Ghana. He played 2 matches as right side midfielder and right side back. On October 8, 2009, Tokunaga debuted for Japan national team against Hong Kong at 2011 Asian Cup qualification under manager Takeshi Okada. He played many matches as right side back while battling with Atsuto Uchida for the position until early 2010. However he was not select for 2010 World Cup. In July 2012, Tokunaga was selected Japan U-23 national team as over aged for 2012 Summer Olympics. He played 5 matches as left side back and Japan reached the semi-finals where they lost to eventual gold medalists, Mexico, and then lost the bronze medal play-off match to South Korea. In July 2013, Tokunaga was selected Japan under manager Alberto Zaccheroni for 2013 East Asian Cup for the first time in 3 years. At the tournament, he played 2 matches as left side back and Japan won the champions. This tournament is his last game for Japan. He played 9 games for Japan until 2013.
- Club
- V-Varen Nagasaki (2018–)
- National team
- Japan
- Club
- FC Tokyo (2003–2004)
- Club
- FC Tokyo (2006–2017)
- Club
- Japan national under-20 association football team (2003–2003)
- Club
- Japan national under-23 football team (2004–2012)
- Club
- Japan men's national football team (2009–2013)
Legacy
Japan
EAFF East Asian Cup (1) : 2013
Club
FC Tokyo J2 League (1) : 2011 Emperor's Cup (1) : 2011 J.League Cup (2) : 2004, 2009
Clubs
- V-Varen Nagasaki2018current
- FC Tokyo2003–2004
- Japan national under-20 association football team2003–2003
- Japan national under-23 football team2004–2012
- FC Tokyo2006–2017
- Japan men's national football team2009–2013
Played together with
- Adaílton dos Santos da SilvaFC Tokyo
Akira KajiFC Tokyo · 2002–2005- Almir Moraes AndradeFC Tokyo · 1999–1999
- Angelo Carlos PrettiFC Tokyo · 1998–1998
- Aoto OsakoFC Tokyo
Ariajasuru HasegawaFC Tokyo · 2012–2014- Arthur SilvaFC Tokyo
- Asahi HagaFC Tokyo · 2018–2018
Asahi UenakaV-Varen Nagasaki- Asuka TateishiV-Varen Nagasaki · 2006
- Atsushi MatsuoV-Varen Nagasaki · 2012
- Atsushi ShirotaV-Varen Nagasaki
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
…