JapaneseFootballerJ1 LeagueCerezo Osaka

Kazunari Koga

Kazunari Koga is a former Japanese professional footballer who played as a midfielder and side-back for Cerezo Osaka from 1995 to 1999, making 41 J.League appearances.

1. Early Life and Background

Kazunari Koga was born on April 17, 1972. While some sources indicate his birthplace as Shizuoka Prefecture, other records, including Japanese sources, specify Ōkawa, Fukuoka Prefecture. He stands at 69 in (174 cm) and weighs 146 lb (66 kg).

1.1. Education and Amateur Career

Koga attended Tokai University Fukuoka High School (formerly Tokai Dai Go High School) from 1988 to 1990. During his third year at the high school, he led his team to reach the best four in the 69th National High School Soccer Championship. Following his high school graduation, Koga continued his education and played amateur football at Osaka University of Commerce from 1991 to 1994, before embarking on his professional career.

2. Professional Career

After graduating from Osaka University of Commerce, Kazunari Koga joined Cerezo Osaka in 1995, a club that had just been promoted to the J1 League. He primarily played as a defensive midfielder but also served as a side-back throughout his career.

2.1. Cerezo Osaka

Koga's entire professional playing career was spent with Cerezo Osaka, spanning five seasons from 1995 to 1999. He made his professional debut in the J.League on June 24, 1995, in a match against Urawa Red Diamonds at the Saitama Prefectural Omiya Park Soccer Stadium as part of the J.League Suntory Series, Matchday 19. His first J.League goal came on October 19, 1996, during the J.League Matchday 25 fixture against Kashiwa Reysol at Nagai Stadium. He featured in many matches as a defensive midfielder, particularly in his earlier seasons. However, his playing time decreased significantly in 1998.

2.2. Retirement

Kazunari Koga concluded his professional football career at the end of the 1999 season, after five seasons with Cerezo Osaka.

3. Club Statistics

The following table details Kazunari Koga's official club statistics throughout his professional career in Japan.

Club performanceLeagueCupLeague CupTotal
SeasonClubLeagueAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
JapanLeagueEmperor's CupJ.League CupTotal
1995Cerezo OsakaJ1 League6000-60
19962312050301
19971100060170
199810001020
199900000000
Total41120120551