Akinori Nishizawa

Date of birth18 June 1976
Place of birthShizuoka
NationalityJapanese
Weight70 kg
Height1.80 m
PositionForward

A striker who has good pace and is very effective in the air, Akinori began his career in Japan with Cerezo Osaka making his debut in August 1996. He has since spent time in Europe, joining Espanyol on loan for the 2000-01 campaign and then Bolton Wanderers in July 2001 in another season-long loan deal. A member of the team that defeated Saudi Arabia to win the 2000 Asian Cup, he has scored some important goals for the team. In an effort to make the Finals he ended his disappointing loan spell in England early and returned to Cerezo Osaka. The form of the other strikers and his lack of first team football may mean he is on the bench, but he could challenge but if he plays he is a danger in the air and is more than useful on the ground.

Club history

Team Joined Left Loan / Trialist
Cerezo Osaka
Espanyol 01 Dec 2000 31 May 2001 L
Bolton Wanderers 16 Jul 2001 08 Jan 2002 L

Club stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
2000-01 Espanyol Primera Liga 2
4
2001-02 Bolton Wanderers League Cup 3
1
1


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

Club matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
14 Jan 2001 Las Palmas v Español L 1-0 Primera Liga 18
27 Jan 2001 Español v Real Zaragoza W 5-0 Primera Liga 20
25 Feb 2001 Rayo Vallecano v Español D 1-1 Primera Liga 24
04 Mar 2001 Español v Alavés D 0-0 Primera Liga 25
11 Mar 2001 Oviedo v Español D 2-2 Primera Liga 26
29 Apr 2001 Deportivo La Coruña v Español L 1-0 Primera Liga 32


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
1996-97 Japan FIFA World Cup 2
2
1996-97 Japan International Friendly
1
1997-98 Japan FIFA World Cup
2
1999-00 Japan AFC Asian Cup 4
2
5
1
1999-00 Japan Hassan II Tournament 2
1
1999-00 Japan Kirin Cup 3
2000-01 Japan FIFA Confederations Cup 4
1
2000-01 Japan International Friendly 3
1
2001-02 Japan FIFA World Cup 1
2001-02 Japan International Friendly 1
2
2001-02 Japan Kirin Cup 2
1


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
21 May 1997 Japan v Korea Republic D 1-1 International Friendly
22 Jun 1997 Japan v Macao W 10-0 FIFA World Cup Asia 1st round group 4
25 Jun 1997 Japan v Nepal W 3-0 FIFA World Cup Asia 1st round group 4
07 Sep 1997 Japan v Uzbekistan W 6-3 FIFA World Cup Asia 2nd round group B
28 Sep 1997 Japan v Korea Republic L 1-2 FIFA World Cup Asia 2nd round group B
04 Jun 2000 France v Japan D 2-2 Hassan II Tournament
06 Jun 2000 Japan v Jamaica W 4-0 HASSAN II Tournament
11 Jun 2000 Japan v Slovakia D 1-1 KIRIN CUP
18 Jun 2000 Japan v Bolivia W 2-0 KIRIN CUP
19 Jun 2000 Japan v Bolivia W 2-0 KIRIN CUP
16 Aug 2000 Japan v United Arab Emirates W 3-1 International Friendly
04 Oct 2000 Japan v J LEAGUE FOREIGNERS W 2-0 International Friendly
14 Oct 2000 Japan v Saudi Arabia W 4-1 AFC Asian Cup Group C
17 Oct 2000 Japan v Uzbekistan W 8-1 AFC Asian Cup Group C
20 Oct 2000 Japan v Qatar D 1-1 AFC Asian Cup Group C
24 Oct 2000 Japan v Iraq W 4-1 AFC Asian Cup Quarter-final
26 Oct 2000 China PR v Japan W 2-3 AFC Asian Cup Semi-final
29 Oct 2000 Japan v Saudi Arabia W 1-0 AFC Asian Cup Final
24 Mar 2001 France v Japan L 5-0 International Friendly
25 Apr 2001 Spain v Japan L 1-0 International Friendly
31 May 2001 Japan v Canada W 3-0 FIFA Confederations Cup Group B
02 Jun 2001 Japan v Cameroon W 2-0 FIFA Confederations Cup Group B
07 Jun 2001 Japan v Australia W 1-0 FIFA Confederations Cup Semi-final
10 Jun 2001 Japan v France L 0-1 FIFA Confederations Cup Final
07 Nov 2001 Japan v Italy D 1-1 International Friendly
21 Mar 2002 Japan v Ukraine W 1-0 International Friendly
17 Apr 2002 Japan v Costa Rica D 1-1 International Friendly
29 Apr 2002 Japan v Slovakia D 3-3 KIRIN CUP
02 May 2002 Japan v Honduras D 3-3 KIRIN CUP
18 Jun 2002 Japan v Turkey L 0-1 FIFA World Cup Finals 2nd round


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.