Junnosuke Suzuki
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 12 July 2003 | ||
| Place of birth | Kakamigahara, Gifu, Japan[1] | ||
| Height | 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back, defensive midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Shonan Bellmare | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| FC Divine | |||
| Gifu Vamos | |||
| Teikyo University Kani HS | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022– | Shonan Bellmare | 45 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12:47, 20 May 2025 (UTC) | |||
Junnosuke Suzuki (鈴木 淳之介, Suzuki Junnosuke, born 12 July 2003) is a Japanese footballer who plays as an centre-back for Shonan Bellmare.
Club career
[edit]High school football
[edit]After a year disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, Suzuki represented the Teikyo University Kani High School at the 2020 All Japan High School Soccer Tournament, where his performance in Teikyo's 2–0 win against Meitoku Gijuku helped his side to the Round-of-16 for the first time.[2] The following year, he again impressed in helping Teikyo win the Gifu Prefecture National High School Football Championship, scoring the opening goal in the 6–1 win against Chukyo in the final.[3] At the 2021 All Japan High School Soccer Tournament he provided two assists in Teikyo's 4–1 win against Imabari Higashi in the first round.[4]
Shonan Bellmare
[edit]Having committed to sign for J1 League side Shonan Bellmare at the end of the 2020 season, Suzuki joined the club in 2022.[5] He made his professional debut the same year, playing all ninety minutes in Shonan Bellmare's 3–0 win against Vertfee Yaita in the Emperor's Cup on 1 June 2022.[6]
Having struggled to secure a place in the first team, making only five league appearances in the 2023 season, a change of position from defensive midfield to central defence saw Suzuki's playing time improve.[7][8][9] Following a suspension after accumulating too many yellow cards, media in Japan cited Suzuki's absence for Shonan Bellmare's poor performance in a 1–1 draw with Avispa Fukuoka on 7 August 2024.[10] He won the Young Player of the Month award for October 2024, having been credited with good performances, including in Shonan Bellmare's 2–1 win against Sanfrecce Hiroshima.[11][12]
Suzuki renewed his contract with Shonan Bellmare at the conclusion of the 2024 season.[8] Having featured mostly as a left centre-back in a back three for Shonan Bellmare, he showed adaptability when he was moved to the middle of the three for a game against Avispa Fukuoka in April 2025, helping Shonan Bellmare keep a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw.[13] His good form continued, and by May 2025, he led the J1 League in ariel duels won.[14]
International career
[edit]Without having previously represented Japan at youth international level, he was called up to the senior squad in May 2025.[15]
Style of play
[edit]Initially a defensive midfielder, he was noted during his high school years for his ability to read the game, as well as being able to play in both defensive and offensive capacities.[5] Suzuki has described himself as a good passer with good dribbling, citing Frenkie de Jong and Andrés Iniesta as players he liked to watch.[16]
Following an injury to Kim Min-tae, Suzuki was brought in to cover at centre-back for Shonan Bellmare's J1 League match against Gamba Osaka in June 2024.[17] The change of position was beneficial for Suzuki, as in April 2025 he was named as the best centre-back under 25 years old in the J1 League by the International Centre for Sports Studies.[18]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]- As of 23 May 2025.[19]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup[a] | League Cup[b] | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Shonan Bellmare | 2022 | J1 League | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | ||
| 2024 | 23 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 0 | ||
| 2025 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 45 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 0 | ||
- Notes
- ^ Includes Emperor's Cup
- ^ Includes J.League Cup
References
[edit]- ^ a b Junnosuke Suzuki at WorldFootball.net
- ^ "【高校サッカー】湘南内定の２年生ＭＦ鈴木淳之介の帝京大可児、チーム最高タイの１６強進出「注目されるプレッシャーを力に…」" [[High school soccer] Shonan-bound second-year midfielder Suzuki Junnosuke of Teikyo University Kani advances to the round of 16, tying the team's best record: "Turning the pressure of being in the spotlight into strength..."]. hochi.news (in Japanese). 2 January 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "高校2年でプロ入り内定の逸材・帝京大可児の鈴木淳之介が勝利の立役者に【高校サッカー】" [Junnosuke Suzuki of Teikyo University Kani, a talented player who is set to go professional as a second-year high school student, is the key player in the victory [High school soccer]]. chunichi.co.jp (in Japanese). 13 November 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "来季J1湘南内定の鈴木淳之介が2アシスト 帝京大可児が4発快勝で初戦突破【全国高校サッカー】" [Junnosuke Suzuki, who will play for Shonan in the J1 League next season, provided two assists as Teikyo University Kani won their first match with four goals [National High School Soccer]]. chunichi.co.jp (in Japanese). 29 December 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ a b "＜選手権は1、2年生に注目？＞高2でJ1湘南内定・鈴木淳之介がライバル視する青森山田の10番とは" [<Will the championship be focused on first and second year students?> Junnosuke Suzuki, a second year high school student who has been accepted into the J1 Shonan Nankai League, sees Aomori Yamada's number 10 as his rival]. number.bunshun.jp (in Japanese). 30 December 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "【馬入日記：6月3日】天皇杯でプロデビュー！鈴木淳之介選手インタビュー" [[Umairi Diary: June 3] Professional debut at Emperor's Cup! Interview with Junnosuke Suzuki]. bellmare.co.jp (in Japanese). 3 June 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "「伝えられたのは試合の２日前くらい」湘南MF鈴木淳之介がCBへのコンバートで才能開花なるか「出られるならどこでも良い」" ["I was informed about it about two days before the match" Shonan midfielder Junnosuke Suzuki's talents may blossom as he is converted to CB, "I don't care where I play as long as I can play"]. soccerdigestweb.com (in Japanese). 6 June 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ a b "J1湘南、プレータイム大幅増の21歳MF鈴木淳之介と契約更新「充実した一年になるように頑張ります!」" [J1 League Shonan renews contract with 21-year-old midfielder Suzuki Junnosuke, who has seen a significant increase in playing time: "I'll do my best to make this a fulfilling year!"]. web.ultra-soccer.jp (in Japanese). 28 December 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "My Story". bellmare.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "【湘南】鈴木淳之介不在の福岡戦で見えたビルドアップの弱点。左右のストッパーは替えが効かない" [[Shonan] The weakness of the build-up was revealed in the match against Fukuoka without Junnosuke Suzuki. The left and right stoppers are not replaceable]. soccerdigestweb.com (in Japanese). 8 August 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "明治安田Ｊリーグ月間ヤングプレーヤー賞" [Meiji Yasuda J.League Young Player of the Month Award]. jleague.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "Ｊ１湘南 鈴木淳之介が初のヤングプレーヤー賞、山口監督も受賞" [J1 Shonan's Junnosuke Suzuki receives his first Young Player Award, manager Yamaguchi also receives the award]. kanaloco.jp (in Japanese). 12 November 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "【湘南】CBコンバートの鈴木淳之介、初３バックの中央でどんと構えて無失点「我慢強くやれた」" [[Shonan] Junnosuke Suzuki, converted to CB, stood tall in the center of his first three-back formation and kept the score at zero, saying, "I was patient."]. nikkansports.com (in Japanese). 29 April 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "森保監督がJ視察で見つけた「楽しみな選手」 逸材21歳が外国人とのバトル「ほぼほぼ制していた」" ["Exciting player" that Coach Moriyasu found during his J-League observation tour: 21-year-old talented player "almost dominated" the battle against foreign players]. news.infoseek.co.jp (in Japanese). 8 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "【日本代表】初選出の21歳湘南DF鈴木淳之介「小さい頃からの夢だった」今季全試合で先発" [[Japan National Team] 21-year-old Shonan DF Junnosuke Suzuki was selected for the first time and has started in every game this season, saying, "It's been my dream since I was a child."]. nikkansports.com (in Japanese). 23 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "岐阜の強豪・帝京大可児高校サッカー部-エース・鈴木淳之介の誓い「プロの練習に行って一番違うなと思ったのは、守備の強度でした」【2021年 第100回全国高校サッカー選手権 出場校】" [Gifu's powerhouse, Teikyo University Kani High School Soccer Club - Ace Suzuki Junnosuke's pledge: "The biggest difference I noticed when I went to professional training was the strength of the defense" [Participating in the 100th All Japan High School Soccer Championship in 2021]]. yansaka.com (in Japanese). 8 November 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "Ｊ１湘南・鈴木淳之介がセンターバックで初先発「やってやろうと思った」" [J1 Shonan's Junnosuke Suzuki makes his first start as a center back: "I thought I'd give it a go"]. kanaloco.jp (in Japanese). 1 June 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "欧州の調査機関がJ1若手CBでトップ評価…昨季コンバートで急台頭の湘南21歳DF鈴木淳之介「やり続けるだけ」" [European research institute rates J1 top young CB... Shonan 21-year-old defender Suzuki Junnosuke, who rose to prominence after being converted last season, "just keeps doing it"]. web.gekisaka.jp (in Japanese). 3 April 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ Junnosuke Suzuki at Soccerway