Shinji_Ono

Shinji Ono

Shinji Ono

Japanese footballer

Shinji Ono (小野 伸二, Ono Shinji, born 27 September 1979) is a Japanese former professional footballer.

Quick Facts Personal information, Full name ...

He started his senior career with J1 League side Urawa Reds before moving Dutch side Feyenoord in 2001 where he won the UEFA Cup in 2002. He returned to Urawa Reds in 2006 where he won the 2006 J League title in his first season back at the club and the 2007 AFC Champions League in his second season. He moved to Bundesliga side Bochum in January 2008 but made limited appearances due to injuries. He signed for Shimizu S-Pulse in January 2010. He subsequently played for Western Sydney Wanderers, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo and Ryukyu before retiring in 2023.

He earned 56 caps for the Japan national team. He was part of the squads for the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cups.

Career

Urawa Reds

Ono grew up in the Shizuoka Prefecture and began his professional career with Urawa Reds in the J1 League in 1998. The same year, he became the youngest Japanese player to play at 1998 World Cup, at age 18.[5] He caught the attention of foreign clubs with his performance at the 1999 World Youth Championship in Nigeria, where he captained the Japanese Under-20 side that reached the final. But later that year, he suffered a severe knee injury in a qualification match for the 2000 Olympics with Japan's Under-23 side, forcing him to miss the rest of the season and Olympic qualifying.[6]

Feyenoord

After a strong performance at the 2001 Confederations Cup, Ono moved to Feyenoord of the Dutch Eredivisie in 2001. In his first season, he helped Feyenoord win the 2002 UEFA Cup, making him the first Japanese in history to win a European trophy. However, a string of injuries kept him sidelined for long periods. After he missed the majority of 2004–05, the club sold him.[7] His stint at the Rotterdam based club is highly rated and Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder said "Shinji Ono is the toughest opponent I've ever faced".[8]

Urawa Reds return

On 13 January 2006, Ono returned to the J1 League, signing a three-year deal with his former club Urawa Reds.[9]

Bochum

In the 2008 January transfer window, Ono returned to Europe, signing with Bundesliga's Bochum. On 3 February 2008, Ono made his Bundesliga debut in an away game against Werder Bremen, and he had two assists that helped Bochum with their first ever win over Bremen at Weserstadion. Ono suffered injuries in the following two years in Bochum, and could only play 34 matches in which he gave four assists for the club. In the winter break of 2009–10, Ono requested a return to Japan for personal reasons. Different Japanese clubs were interested in the midfielder. Bochum allowed him to leave under the condition that they could find a successor.[10]

Shimizu S-Pulse

Shinji Ono playing for Shimizu S-Pulse in 2012.

On 9 January 2010, Ono returned to his native Shizuoka Prefecture by signing for Shimizu S-Pulse.[11] The transfer fee were rumored to be €300,000 for the midfielder whose contract in Bochum expired in the summer of 2010. In an interview he declared that the main reason for his transfer was his wish to reunite with his wife and children, who were still living in Japan.[12]

Western Sydney Wanderers

On 28 September 2012, it was announced that Shinji Ono had signed with new A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers on a two-year deal as the club's marquee player. The Wanderers were offered former German international Michael Ballack[13] but preferred to sign Ono.[14] He made his debut for the Wanderers on 6 October, in a scoreless draw against Central Coast Mariners, in the first game of the season.

Ono scored his first goal for the club with a penalty in round 10 against Brisbane Roar.[15] Ono scored two stunning goals to help the Wanderers beat Melbourne Victory 2–1 in round 14 on 1 January 2013.[16] On 16 January 2014, the club announced that Ono would return to Japan at the end of the A-League season. Ono will link up with J2 League club Consadole Sapporo to play out the remainder of the season in Japan as the club chases promotion to the J1 League.[17] On 4 May 2014, Ono played his last A-League game for the Wanderers, in a 2–1 Grand Final loss to Brisbane Roar, in what was to be the Wanderers' second successive Grand Final defeat.[18]

Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo

Following the expiration of his contract and his desire to see his family, Ono joined Consadole Sapporo (later Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo) in May 2014.[17]

FC Ryukyu

On 5 August 2019, Ono signed with J2 League club FC Ryukyu.[19] In December 2020, he left Ryuku after failing to reach a contract extension agreement.[20]

Return to Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo

On 1 January 2021, it was announced that he would return to his former club, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, as a permanent transfer.[21] His uniform number is 44, the same as when he belonged to Sapporo last time.

On 9 June of the same year, in the second round of the Emperor's Cup at Sony Sendai, he scored his first goal in an official match in four years with a direct free kick. This goal made him the oldest player to score in the Emperor's Cup (41 years and 255 days old).

On 28 January 2022, it was announced that he had signed a lifetime contract with Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo.[22] Ono commented, "I consider Hokkaido to be my second home. I don't know how I will end my active career, but I hope to continue to give back to the club by sharing my experiences". In addition, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo representative director and GM Daikatsu Mikami expressed his intention to prioritize Ono's wishes, saying, "I will let him decide whether he wants to be a coach or join the front desk".

On 27 September 2023, the day he celebrated his 44th birthday, which is the same as his jersey number, he posted on his Instagram a message posted on the Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo official website:[23][24] "I have a report to share with you all. 39th anniversary of my first encounter with soccer. My feet, which have been my companions for many years, are telling me it's time to give them a rest, so I've decided to end my career as a professional soccer player at the end of this season. There are still a few games left in the season. However, I will continue to prepare as well as possible so that I can be involved in the game as much as possible. I ask for your support until the end". Shinji Ono announced that he will retire as an active player after the 2023 season.

On 3 December 2023, at the 2023 J1 league season final round, Ono played his last professional game against Urawa. He said goodbye to his colleague and every fan.[25]

International career

When fit, Ono was an ever-present member of the Japan national team. He made his full international debut on 1 April 1998 against South Korea in a friendly.[26] After his appearance in the 1998 World Cup, he was a key member of the Japanese squad in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He has represented Japan at every age level starting with the U-16 team, and was one of three overage selections at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Injuries limited Ono to just one appearance in the final round of the qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and missed the Confederations Cup in 2003 and 2005. He played in his third World Cup finals in Germany.[27]

Style of play

Known as Tensai[28][29] (天才, Japanese for Genius), Ono is one of the biggest stars in Asian football, known for his vision, technique and superb passing.[30] Although his primary position is attacking midfielder, he can play anywhere in the midfield, including defensive midfield and either wing.

Career statistics

Club

As of 27 September 2023[31][32]
More information Club, Season ...
  1. Includes UEFA Champions League preliminary rounds, UEFA Super Cup, Japanese Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and A-League Finals Series.

International

More information National team, Year ...
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ono goal.
More information No., Date ...

Honours

Feyenoord

Urawa Red Diamonds

Western Sydney Wanderers

Japan

Individual

References

  1. [1]
    "2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: Japan" (PDF). FIFA. 21 March 2014. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2019.
  2. [2]
    "Shinji Ono". Feyenoord. Archived from the original on 25 February 2006.
  3. [3]
    "Shinji Ono". Western Sydney Wanderers FC. Archived from the original on 20 March 2013.
  4. [4]
    "Shinji Ono". kicker.de (in German). Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  5. [5]
    "About Shinji Captain". Ono Shinji Official Web Site. Archived from the original on 25 November 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  6. [6]
    "Shinji Ono". the-rising-sun-news.com. Retrieved 15 October 2012.[permanent dead link]
  7. [7]
    "Feyenoord midfielder Ono on his way home to join Urawa Reds". thestar.com.my. 15 January 2006. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  8. [8]
    "Wes Sneijder: analysis of world class player". International Football News - World Cup Blog. 31 October 2010. Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  9. [9]
    "Ono back to Japan from Feyenoord". ESPN Soccernet. 15 December 2005. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  10. [10]
    "Exklusiv: Wechsel von Shinji Ono hängt vom Nachfolger ab" (in German). goal.com. 8 January 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  11. [11]
    "Official press release" (in Japanese). s-pulse.co.jp. Archived from the original on 12 January 2010.
  12. [12]
    "Shinji Ono im exklusiven Abschiedsinterview: Wegen der Familie zurück nach Japan" (in German). goal.com. 9 January 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  13. [13]
    "Western Sydney Wanderers chairman Lyall Gorman says club is considering options with Michael Ballack". Fox Sports Australia. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  14. [14]
    "Wanderers sign Shinji Ono". footballaustralia.com.au. 28 September 2012. Archived from the original on 16 October 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  15. [15]
    "Ono off the mark as Wanderers beat Roar". Local Today. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  16. [16]
    "Ono A-League double lifts Wanderers". smh.com.au. January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  17. [17]
    "Shinji Ono to return to Japan at season's end". Football Federation Australia. 16 January 2014. Archived from the original on 4 February 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
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    Bossi, Dominic (4 May 2014). "Brisbane Roar's extra-time victory breaks Western Sydney Wanderers' hearts". smh.com.au. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  19. [19]
    "小野伸二 選手 FC琉球2019シーズン移籍加入のお知らせ" [Shinji Ono FC Ryukyu 2019 season transfer participation notice] (in Japanese). FC Ryukyu. 5 August 2019.
  20. [20]
    "小野伸二選手 退団のお知らせ" [Shinji Ono's departure notice] (in Japanese). FC Ryukyu. 25 December 2020.
  21. [21]
    "小野伸二選手 完全移籍加入のお知らせ". 1 January 2021.
  22. [22]
    "小野伸二、Ｊ１札幌と生涯契約…現役引退後も「経験を還元できたら」". 28 January 2022. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022.
  23. [23]
    "【札幌】「天才」小野伸二が引退発表「足がそろそろ休ませてくれ」44歳誕生日、Ｗ杯３大会連続". 27 September 2023.
  24. [24]
    "小野伸二選手 現役引退のお知らせ". 27 September 2023. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023.
  25. [25]
    "こんなに美しい場面があるだろうか――小野伸二、ラストダンスにファン感涙。浦和の選手たちも花道「何回見ても泣く」「やっぱり別格」". 3 December 2023.
  26. [26]
    Japan National Football Team Database
  27. [27]
    "Shinji ONO". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2008. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  28. [28]
    Monteverde, Marco (26 October 2012). "Shinji Ono laughs off comparisons with Alessandro Del Piero and Emile Heskey". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  29. [29]
    Davutovic, David (12 April 2013). "Western Sydney Wanderers on verge of a fairytale title win in first season". adelaidenow. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  30. [30]
    Hassett, Sebastian (22 September 2012). "Japan's genius ponders taking wander out west". smh.com.au. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  31. [31]
    Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, "2016J1&J2&J3選手名鑑", 10 February 2016, Japan, ISBN 978-4905411338 (p. 196 out of 289)
  32. [32]
    "Soccer D.B. : 2022 Shinji Ono Result by Season". Soccer D.B. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  33. [33]
    "Yasuhito Endo named J-League 30-year MVP, Kazuyoshi Miura, Shunsuke Nakamura in best XI". Mainichi Shimbun. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
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