Koki Kumasaka
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 15 April 2001 | ||
| Place of birth | Saitama, Japan[1] | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Kashiwa Reysol | ||
| Number | 27 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Hikonari FC | |||
| Nansato FC | |||
| Togasaki Eleven SSS | |||
| 2013–2019 | Kashiwa Reysol | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2023 | Tokyo International University | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024– | Kashiwa Reysol | 27 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12:47, 20 May 2025 (UTC) | |||
Koki Kumasaka (熊坂 光希, Kumasaka Kōki; born 15 April 2001) is a Japanese footballer who plays as an defensive midfielder for Kashiwa Reysol.
Club career
[edit]University football
[edit]Enrolled at the Tokyo International University, he helped his side to second place in the Kanto University Division 1 League.[2] With four goals and two assists, he was named in the best XI for the league.[2]
Kashiwa Reysol
[edit]Having already played for them for six years during his youth, Kumasaka committed to re-join J1 League club Kashiwa Reysol in July 2023.[3] He made his professional debut in Reysol's 1–1 J1 League draw against Albirex Niigata on 30 March 2024, and went on to appear in the next three matches.[4] An injury during the Chibagin Cup limited his playing time, and his debut season was not seen as successful.[5]
After ten league appearances in 2024, Kumasaka remained in the first team the following season, featuring in Reysol's pre-season preparation before playing ninety minutes in their opening J1 League fixture against Avispa Fukuoka.[6] Following the appointment of Spanish manager Ricardo Rodríguez in February 2025, Kumasaka began to feature a lot more in the Kashiwa Reysol first team, forming a partnership with Riki Harakawa.[7][8] In March of the same year, he changed his contract type from Pro C to Pro A, having played 450 minutes in the J1 League.[9]
International career
[edit]Without having previously represented Japan at youth international level, he was called up to the senior squad in May 2025.[10]
Style of play
[edit]A volante, Kumasaka is noted for his ability in one-on-one duels, as well as his agility despite his height, standing at 1.85 metres.[11]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]- As of 23 May 2025.[12]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup[a] | League Cup[b] | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Kashiwa Reysol | 2024 | J1 League | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| 2025 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 27 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | ||
- Notes
- ^ Includes Emperor's Cup
- ^ Includes J.League Cup
References
[edit]- ^ Koki Kumasaka at WorldFootball.net
- ^ a b "リーチ生かした対人能力とボール奪取力で「唯一無二の存在」へ 東京国際大MF熊坂光希【関東大学サッカー】" [Tokyo International University MF Koki Kumasaka [Kanto University Soccer] is a "unique player" with his interpersonal skills and ball-winning ability that make the most of his reach]. chunichi.co.jp (in Japanese). 9 December 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "東京国際大MF熊坂光希が来季"古巣"柏へ「アカデミー時代の6年間は辛く苦しい時間の方が多かった…だからこそ」" [Tokyo International University midfielder Koki Kumasaka to return to his former club Kashiwa next season: "There were more difficult and painful times during my six years at the academy... that's why"]. web.gekisaka.jp (in Japanese). 20 July 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "大きな基準は「人間性やサッカーに対する姿勢」。将来有望な大学生たちが柏レイソルを選び始めた理由" [The main criteria are "humanity and attitude towards soccer." The reason why promising college students are starting to choose Kashiwa Reysol]. footballista.jp (in Japanese). 11 April 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "まだそれを知らないー熊坂光希" [I don't know that yet - Koki Kumasaka]. bunya.ne.jp (in Japanese). 28 March 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "熊坂光希、大躍進の予兆【コラム】" [Koki Kumasaka, signs of great progress [Column]]. targma.jp (in Japanese). 19 February 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "熊坂光希がすごい。サッカー日本代表を目指すべき場所に「本当に1年で世界が変わる」【コラム】" ["It's up to me..." Kashiwa Reysol's Koki Kumasaka is amazing. "The world really changes in a year"]. footballchannel.jp (in Japanese). 7 April 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "【Jの風レイソル】 「二十歳から」恩師の言葉信じ" [[J-League Reysol] "From the age of 20" I believed in my teacher's words]. asahi.com (in Japanese). 6 March 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "熊坂 光希選手 プロA契約へ変更" [Koki Kumasaka changes to professional A contract]. reysol.co.jp (in Japanese). 4 March 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "森保JAPAN初招集の柏MF熊坂光希 「自分のプレーが世界の舞台でも通用することを見せたい」" [Kashiwa midfielder Koki Kumasaka, called up to Moriyasu Japan for the first time: "I want to show that my playing skills can be used on the world stage"]. nikkansports.com (in Japanese). 23 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "【10分でわかる】熊坂光希ってどんな選手？プレースタイル・経歴について" [[Understanding in 10 minutes] What kind of player is Koki Kumasaka? His playing style and career]. ono9n.com (in Japanese). 25 December 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ Koki Kumasaka at Soccerway