Seigo Narazaki

After graduating from Nara Ikuei High School in 1995, Narazaki joined J1 League side Yokohama Flügels. In August 1995, regular goalkeeper Atsuhiko Mori was suspended for three months due to violence against referee. On 16 August 1995, Narazaki debuted against Bellmare Hiratsuka instead Mori[2][3] and Narazaki became a regular goalkeeper. In 1996 season, Flügels finished at the 3rd place and he was also selected Best Eleven award. He contributed to the club winning the 1998 Emperor's Cup. However Flügels was merged with cross-town Yokohama Marinos and Flügels was dissolved end of 1998 season.

In 1999, Narazaki moved to Nagoya Grampus Eight (later Nagoya Grampus) with teammate Motohiro Yamaguchi at Flügels. In 1999, Grampus won the champions in Emperor's Cup for 2 years in a row for him. In 2008, Grampus signed with new manager Dragan Stojković who was teammate in Grampus until 2001. Grampus under Stojković won the 3rd place in J1 League and Narazaki was selected Best Eleven award. In 2010, Grampus won the champions in J1 League first time in the club history. Narazaki also became the first goalkeeper to receive the J.League Most Valuable Player award.[4] In 2016 season, Grampus finished at the 16th place of 18 clubs and was relegated to J2 League first time in the club history. In 2017 J2 League, the club won the 3rd place and was returned to J1. However his opportunity to play decreased behind Yohei Takeda until summer.[5] In 2018, Narazaki could not play at all in the match behind new player Mitchell Langerak.[6]

Narazaki announced his retirement from football on 8 January 2019.[7] He was 42 years old.

On 15 February 1998, Narazaki made his international debut for Japan national team against Australia.[8] After the debut, he battles with Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi for the position for 10 years. He was selected Japan for 1998 World Cup. However he could not play in the match behind Kawaguchi.

In 2000, Narazaki was selected Japan U-23 national team as over age for 2000 Summer Olympics and played full time in all 4 matches. Although he could hardly play in the match in 2001, he played many matches in 2002. At 2002 World Cup in Japan, he played all 4 matches and Japan qualified to the knockout stage first time in Japan's history.

Narazaki played many matches as regular goalkeeper until summer 2004. Although he was selected Japan for 2004 Asian Cup, he could not play for injury.[9] His rival Kawaguchi performed brilliantly at Asian Cup and Japan won the champions. After Asian Cup, Narazaki lost regular position behind Kawaguchi. Although Narazaki was selected Japan for 2006 World Cup, he could not play in the match.

Although Narazaki could not play many matches until 2007, he became a regular goalkeeper because Kawaguchi was injured in 2008. Narazaki was named in the 2010 World Cup squad as one of two Japanese players (the other being Kawaguchi) to participate in 4 consecutive World Cups. However, despite performing impressively in the qualifiers, he was benched for the tournament in favour of his former understudy Eiji Kawashima. He would make one last appearance for Japan when he captained the team to a 2–1 victory over Guatemala on 7 September 2010 before retiring from international duty. He played 77 games for Japan.[8]

[10]

[8]

• Seigo Narazaki – FIFA competition record
• Seigo Narazaki at National-Football-Teams.com
• Japan National Football Team Database
• Seigo Narazaki at J.League (in Japanese)
• Profile at Nagoya Grampus