Japanese footballer
Koji Yamase (山瀬 功治, Yamase Kōji, born 22 September 1981) is a Japanese football player who plays for Renofa Yamaguchi FC.[1] His father Isao Yamase participated in the 1984 Winter Olympics as a biathlete. His brother Yukihiro Yamase is also a footballer.
Club career
Yamase was born in Sapporo on 22 September 1981. After graduating from high school, he joined J2 League club Consadole Sapporo in his hometown, in 2000. He played many matches as a midfielder from first season under manager Takeshi Okada. Consadole also were the champions in the 2000 season and was promoted to the J1 League. In 2000, he played as a regular player and was selected Rookie of the Year award. Although he was given number a no.10 shirt, he could not play at all in the season because of injuries from summer 2002. Consadole also finished at the bottom place in 2002 season and was relegated to J2.
In 2003, Yamase moved to J1 club Urawa Reds. Reds won the champions 2003 J.League Cup. In 2004, Reds won the 2nd place in J1 League and J.League Cup.
In 2005, Yamase moved to Yokohama F. Marinos which club won the J1 champions for 2 years in a row until 2004. He was given number 10 shirt and played many matches as offensive midfielder. He spent in this club the longest season in his career.
In 2011, Yamase moved to Kawasaki Frontale. He played all 34 matches in 2011 season. However his opportunity to play decreased in 2012 season.
In 2013, Yamase moved to J2 club Kyoto Sanga FC. He played many matches as regular player until 2016. In 2017, he moved to Avispa Fukuoka and played in 2 seasons.[2] In 2019, he moved to Ehime FC.
National team career
In June 2001, Yamase was selected Japan U-20 national team for 2001 World Youth Championship. At this tournament, he played all 3 matches and scored 2 goals.[3]
Japan's coach Ivica Osim handed him his first senior cap on 9 August 2006, in a friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago. His first goal for Japan came on 22 August 2007 in a friendly match against Cameroon. He played 13 games and scored 5 goals for Japan until 2013.[4]
