Tokyo Verdy 1969 and former Japan forward Nobuhiro Takeda gave a farewell speech to the fans after his team's 3-0 Emperor's Cup quarterfinal defeat to Kawasaki Frontale at Tokyo Stadium on Monday.
Takeda, 34, said, "I was hoping to carry on playing but when I learned that my dream of playing in the World Cup was over, I decided to quit. I am grateful that I started my career at Yomiuri FC (Verdy's predecessor) and finished my career in a green uniform (of Verdy)."
Takeda scored 48 goals in 122 games in the old Japan Soccer League from 1986-1992 and found the net 94 times in 237 games in the J. League from 1992-2001. He played for Verdy, Jubilo Iwata and JEF United Ichihara as well as Paraguayan club Cerro Portano (in 2000).