Naohiro Takahara

Naohiro Takahara
高原 直泰

Takahara with Shimizu S-Pulse in 2012
Personal information
Full name	Naohiro Takahara
Date of birth	(1979-06-04) June 4, 1979 (age 45)
Place of birth	Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan
Height	1.81 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Club information
Current team	Okinawa SV
Number	10
Youth career
1995–1997	Shimizu Higashi High School
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1998–2002	Júbilo Iwata	105	(58)
2001	→ Boca Juniors (loan)	6	(1)
2002–2006	Hamburg	97	(13)
2006–2008	Eintracht Frankfurt	38	(12)
2008–2010	Urawa Reds	63	(10)
2010	→ Suwon Samsung Bluewings (loan)	12	(4)
2011–2012	Shimizu S-Pulse	46	(9)
2013–2014	Tokyo Verdy	41	(11)
2014–2015	SC Sagamihara	54	(11)
2016–	Okinawa SV
Total		462	(129)
National team
1995	Japan U-17	3	(1)
1998–1999	Japan U-20	16	(16)
1998–2000	Japan U-23	11	(4)
2000–2008	Japan	57	(23)
Teams managed
2016–2019	Okinawa SV
Honours Júbilo Iwata Winner J1 League 1999 Winner J1 League 2002 Runner-up J1 League 1998 Runner-up J1 League 2001 Winner J.League Cup 1998 Runner-up J.League Cup 2001 Shimizu S-Pulse Runner-up J.League Cup 2012 Representing  Japan AFC Asian Cup 2000 Lebanon FIFA U-20 World Cup 1999 Nigeria AFC U-19 Championship 1998 Thailand AFC U-16 Championship 1994 Qatar
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of December 31, 2015

Naohiro Takahara (高原 直泰, Takahara Naohiro, born June 4, 1979) is a Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.

Takahara was born in Mishima on June 4, 1979. After graduating from Shimizu Higashi High School, he joined J1 League club Júbilo Iwata in 1998. In 1998, the club won J.League Cup and he was selected "New Hero awards". In 1999, the club won J1 League and 1998–99 Asian Club Championship. The club also won the 2nd place 1999–00 and 2000–01 Asian Club Championship. In August 2001, he moved to Boca Juniors on loan. In February 2002, he returned to Júbilo Iwata. The club won the champions and he became a top scorer with 26 goals in 27 matches. End of 2002 season, he moved to German Bundesliga club Hamburger SV. In 2006, he moved to Eintracht Frankfurt. In 2008, he returned to Japan and joined Urawa Reds. However his opportunity to play decreased in 2010 and he moved to K-League club Suwon Samsung Bluewings in July. In 2011, he returned to Japan and joined Shimizu S-Pulse. From 2013, he played for Tokyo Verdy, SC Sagamihara and Okinawa SV.

In August 1995, Takahara was selected Japan U-17 national team for 1995 U-17 World Championship. He played all 3 matches and scored 1 goal. In April 1999, he was also selected Japan U-20 national team for 1999 World Youth Championship. He played all 7 matches and scored 3 goals. Japan won the 2nd place. In February 2000, he was selected Japan national team for 2000 Asian Cup qualification. At this qualification, on February 13, he debuted against Singapore. He played all 3 matches and 3 goals and Japan won the qualify for 2000 Asian Cup.

In September, he was selected Japan U-23 national team for 2000 Summer Olympics. He played all 4 matches and scored 3 goals in first match and quarterfinal. In October, he played at 2000 Asian Cup. He played 5 matches and scored 5 goals. Japan won the champions. However he missed the 2002 World Cup, because of lung disease (venous thrombosis).

After 2002 World Cup, Takahara played at 2003 Confederations Cup. Although his convocation for Japan decreased due to the schedule, he played as regular player when he was elected Japan. In 2006, he was elected Japan for 2006 World Cup and he played all 3 matches. After 2006 World Cup, he played at 2007 Asian Cup. He played 6 matches and scored 4 goals, and became a top scorer. He played 57 games and scored 23 goals for Japan until 2008.

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• Naohiro Takahara at Soccerway.com
• Naohiro Takahara at WorldFootball.net
• Naohiro Takahara at National-Football-Teams.com
• Naohiro Takahara at kicker (in German)
• Naohiro Takahara at FBref.com

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