1. Overview
Toru Ojima (小島 徹Ojima ToruJapanese, born February 22, 1976) is a former Japanese football player who primarily played as a defender. His professional career spanned from 1998 to 2002, during which he was affiliated with three J.League clubs: Urawa Reds, Kawasaki Frontale, and Montedio Yamagata.
2. Personal Information
2.1. Birth and Background
Toru Ojima was born on February 22, 1976, in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
2.2. Education
Ojima attended Asia University before beginning his professional football career.
3. Playing Career
Toru Ojima's professional football career began in 1998 following his university studies and concluded at the end of the 2002 season. During this period, he played for three different clubs within the J.League system.
3.1. Entry into Professional Football
After graduating from Asia University, Toru Ojima began his professional football career by joining the J1 League club Urawa Reds in 1998.
3.2. Club Affiliations
Throughout his professional career, Toru Ojima played for three distinct clubs: Urawa Reds, Kawasaki Frontale, and Montedio Yamagata.
3.2.1. Urawa Reds
Ojima was a member of Urawa Reds from 1998 to 2000. Despite being part of the J1 League squad, he did not make any league appearances in either 1998 or 1999. In 2000, the club was relegated to the J2 League. On November 25, 2000, he made his professional debut in the Emperor's Cup against Saitama SC. This particular match marked his sole appearance for Urawa Reds during his tenure with the team.
3.2.2. Kawasaki Frontale
In 2001, Ojima transferred to Kawasaki Frontale, a club competing in the J2 League. He initially secured a regular position as a center back at the beginning of the 2001 season. However, his playing time saw a significant reduction from the middle of 2001 onwards.
3.2.3. Montedio Yamagata
Ojima's final professional club was Montedio Yamagata, another team in the J2 League, which he joined in 2002. He did not make any appearances for Montedio Yamagata during his time with the club.
3.3. Debut and Playing Experience
Toru Ojima made his professional debut on November 25, 2000, in the Emperor's Cup while playing for Urawa Reds. Over the course of his career, he accumulated a total of 12 league appearances, all of which were with Kawasaki Frontale. In addition to his league games, he made one appearance in the Emperor's Cup for Urawa Reds and one appearance in the J.League Cup for Kawasaki Frontale.
3.4. Retirement
Toru Ojima concluded his professional football career at the end of the 2002 season, following his period with Montedio Yamagata.
4. Club Statistics
| Club performance | League | Cup | League Cup | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Japan | League | Emperor's Cup | J.League Cup | Total | ||||||
| 1998 | Urawa Reds | J1 League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2000 | J2 League | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2001 | Kawasaki Frontale | J2 League | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| 2002 | Montedio Yamagata | J2 League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 0 | ||