|
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 | |
Though not particularly large in a physical sense, Kazuaki Tanaka always relished his role as one of the league's "tough guys". His punishing presence in deep midfield and his ferocious pursuit of the balll were definitely appropriate for a player who earned the nickname "Robocop". The nickname was earned when Tasaka was playing for Bellmare Hiratsuka, and fractured a cheekbone in midseason. Though not a serious injury, Tasaka had to wear a plexiglass shield covering half of his face for several months. With his complete lack of hair (due to a genetic condition), powerful body and the added feature of the plexiglass mask, Tasaka truly did look like a B-movie android tough-guy, and he certainly merits the reputation as an enforcer. Tasaka was a tireless ball-chaser who knew how to throw his weight around in the middle of the penalty box, and he also had a very good understanding of the game. After retirement he joined the coaching ranks at Cerezo Osaka, who valued his ability to bring out the best in teammates as much, if not more, than his playing ability. As a volante for Bellmare, Cerezo, and briefly for the national team as well, Tasaka was most adept at breaking up the opponent's attack and disrupting their rhythm, though he also had a very accurate boot and was able to release long, pinpoint passes to one of his teammates.
| |
 J1 (Division 1) Information Match Results Standings Schedule History J1 Teams Venues Hall of Fame J2 (Division 2) Information Match Results Standings Schedule History J2 Teams Venues  National Team Recent News History Schedule  Overseas Players Information Shunsuke Nakamura Daisuke Matsui Junichi Inamoto Koji Nakata Shinji Ono Others  Information Match Results Standings Schedule JFL Teams Regional Leagues Information Hokkaido League Tohoku League Hokushinetsu Lg. Shikoku League Tokai League Kansai League Chugoku League Shikoku League Kyushu League  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
