played many matches as regular goalkeeper until summer 2004. Although he was selected Japan for 2004 Asian Cup, he could not play for injury. His rival Kawaguchi performed brilliantly at Asian Cup and Japan won the champions. After Asian Cup, Narazaki lost regular position behind Kawaguchi. Although Narazaki was selected Japan for 2006 World Cup, he did not play in a match. Although Narazaki could not play many matches until 2007, he became a regular goalkeeper because Kawaguchi was injured in 2008. Narazaki was named in the 2010 World Cup squad as one of two Japanese players (the other being Kawaguchi) to be selected for 4 consecutive World Cups. However, despite performing impressively in the qualifiers, he was benched for the tournament in favour of his former understudy Eiji Kawashima. He would make one last appearance for Japan when he captained the team to a 2–1 victory over Guatemala on 7 September 2010 before retiring from international duty. He played 77 games for Japan. Career statistics Club International Honors Yokohama Flügels Emperor's Cup: 1998 Nagoya Grampus J1 League: 2010 Emperor's Cup: 1999 Japanese Super Cup: 2011 Japan AFC Asian Cup: 2004 Individual J.League Most Valuable Player: 2010 J.League Best Eleven: 1996, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2011 References External links Japan National Football Team Database Profile at Nagoya Grampus 1976 births Living people Association football people from Nara Prefecture Japanese footballers Japan international footballers J1 League players J2 League players Yokohama Flügels players Nagoya Grampus players J1 League Player of the Year winners Olympic footballers of Japan Footballers at the 2000 Summer Olympics 1996 AFC Asian Cup players 1998 FIFA World Cup players 1999 Copa América players 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup players 2002 FIFA World Cup players 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup players 2004 AFC Asian Cup players 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup players 2006 FIFA World Cup players 2007 AFC Asian Cup players 2010 FIFA World Cup players AFC Asian Cup-winning players Association football goalkeepers