Tsuyoshi Yoshitake

Tsuyoshi Yoshitake

Personal information
Full name	Tsuyoshi Yoshitake
Date of birth	(1981-09-08) September 8, 1981
Place of birth	Mie, Japan
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Playing position	Attacking Midfielder
Club information
Current team	Yokohama FC Hong Kong
Number	18
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2000–2006	Yokohama	148	(13)
2007–2008	Tokyo Verdy	5	(1)
2009	Charleston Battery	26	(6)
2010	Crystal Palace Baltimore	24	(3)
2010	→ Austin Aztex (loan)	7	(0)
2011–2012	Tampa Bay Rowdies[1]	42	(7)
2012–2014	Yokohama FC Hong Kong	24	(11)
2014–	Yuen Long FC	-	(-)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of September 11, 2011. † Appearances (Goals).

Tsuyoshi Yoshitake (吉武 剛, Yoshitake Tsuyoshi) (born September 8, 1981 in Mie Prefecture) is a Japanese footballer currently playing for Yokohama FC Hong Kong in the Hong Kong First Division.

Career

Japan

Yoshitake attended Mie Prefectural Tsu Technical High School, where he was selected to the prefecture's select team to take part in a tournament in Brazil. He began his professional career in the Winter of 2000 when he joined Yokohama FC, for whom he scored nine goals in his 133 appearances over the course of six years and became the fans' favorite player before being transferred to Tokyo Verdy. During his one year in the Japanese Capital city injury limited him to playing only five times, scoring one goal.

United States

On March 24, 2009 Yoshitake left Tokyo Verdy and completed a move to the Charleston Battery of the USL First Division in the United States.^[2] Given the #10, and on April 24, 2009, during his home debut, he scored his first goal for the Battery from the penalty spot to tie up their game with Minnesota Thunder. The game finished 1-1. For his rookie year, he was in charge of all set pieces for the team, scoring 6 goals, and 5 assists. He also earned the Weekly Honors 5 times during this season, and was given the team's "New Comer of the Year" award.
Yoshitake announced his move to Crystal Palace Baltimore in February, 2010,^[3] and again was given the #10 as the team's ace attacker. In a 2012 match against the MN Stars on July 16, Yoshitake scored a critical goal in the late first half, catching the Stars defense sleeping. The goal happened to be a game changer, as the Rowdies won 2-1.

In September 2010 Austin Aztex, who was preparing for the Playoffs, acquired Yoshitake from Baltimore on loan for the remainder of the season. His New Jersey number was 9.^[4]

Yoshitake signed a two-year contract with FC Tampa Bay of the North American Soccer League on February 16, 2011.^[5] Yoshitake played in 40 matches during his Tampa Bay career. He scored seven goals and totaled five assists during his two seasons there, and also earned NASL Player of the Month for June, 2012.

Hong Kong

However,announced his move to Yokohama FC Hong Kong during the season on August 4, 2012, and serves as the team captain.^[6] Yoshitake had a superb debut season recording 9 goals. He finished fifth place in the league and was voted to the Hong Kong All Star XI for the 2013 Lunar New Year Cup squad,^[7] and also the league's Best XI. On June 4, 2014, Yoshitake announced his signing with Yuen Long FC in the same league.^[8]

Club career statistics

(1) 5 League Appierences and 2 Play-Off Appierences

(2) 25 League Appierences and 1 Play-Off Appierences

Playing style

Small in size but speedy on and off the ball, Yoshitake is able to run at defenders and take them on with high technique dribbling. Capable on both feet, he is a good creative output in the attacking third and frequently serves up dangerous crosses and can entertain the idea of an occasional long shot. Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser described him "He's so creative and he's almost impossible to stop one-on-one. He's given us another weapon up top, someone that can really serve the ball into the box and score goals" in an interview ^[9]

Honors and awards

Personal

• 2012-13: Hong Kong First Division - Hong Kong All Star XI for the Lunar New Year Cup 2013 squad^[10]
• 2012-13: Hong Kong First Division - Best XI^[11]
• 2012: NASL Player of the Month - June^[12]
• 2009: Charleston Battery New Comer of the Year award
• 2009: USL1 Weekly Honor - 5 weeks
• 2002: Yokohama FC MVP

Team

• 2007: Promotion to J1 (J2 Runner Up)- Tokyo Verdy 1969
• 2006: Promotion to J1 (Champion of J2) - Yokohama FC
• 2001: Promotion to J2 (Champion of JFL) - Yokohama FC

References

External links

• Charleston Battery bio
• Crystal Palace Baltimore bio
• SOCCER TRANSITION - Made In Japan
• HKFA Player Information