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Class of 2001 Class of 2002 Class of 2003 Class of 2004 Class of 2005 Class of 2006 Class of 2007
Team Index Albirex Niigata Kashima Antlers Omiya Ardija Avispa Fukuoka Shonan Bellmare Cerezo Osaka Consadole Sapporo Ehime FC Kawasaki Frontale Gamba Osaka Nagoya Grampus Gifu FC Mito Hollyhock JEF United Jubilo Iwata Yokohama Marinos Montedio Yamagata Urawa Reds Kashiwa Reysol Roasso Kumamoto Sagan Tosu Sanfrecce Hiroshima Kyoto Sanga Shimizu S-Pulse Thespa Kusatsu FC Tokyo Oita Trinita Vegalta Sendai Ventforet Kofu Tokyo Verdy Vissel Kobe Tokushima Vortis Yokohama FC | |
Masaaki Saawanobori was a central figure at Shimizu S-Pulse throughout his career, and fully deserves the nickname "Mr. S-Pulse", for his great contributions to the team that he served faithfully for 13 years. Sawanobori helped set the mold for the Japanese play-making midfielder, and though he would soon be surpassed by a younger, more talented generation of players, when the J.League was formed back in 1993, he was one of the early stars and icons. Though not as well as those who came later, and gained fame for Japanese midfielders, Sawanobori set the standard in the early years, and pioneered the stereotype of a small, nimble player who could shred opposing defences with a single touch of the ball. Sawanobori was also a member of Japan's National Team, earning 22 caps over his NT career and scoring three goals. However, in terms of gaining fame for the National Team, his timing was unfortunate. He did not begin to see any regular action until the year following Japan's famous "Agony at Doha" match, and by the time the 1998 World Cup qualification matches began he had been edged out of the NT lineup by younger players like Hidetoshi Nakata and Hiroshi Nanami. Over a 381-match J.League career, however, Sawanobori made an indelible mark, and he still ranks high in the ranks of J.League career leaders for both goals and assists.
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