Ryūji Bando

is a former Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.
Biography.
Bando was born in Himeji on August 2, 1979. After graduating from Kotogaoka High School, he joined J1 League club Gamba Osaka in 1998. He played many matches as substitute forward. He was transferred to J2 League club Consadole Sapporo in 2000. He scored 15 goals and helped them to promote to J1. In 2002, he moved to Vissel Kobe which based in his local Hyogo Prefecture and became one of the key players in the team. He scored 17 goals in the 2004 season, which made him the third most prolific goal scorer in the league. He then returned to Gamba in 2006. He scored 16 goals and his good form earned him a call-up to the national team. In 2007, Gamba won the champions in J.League Cup. Although he could not play many matches for injury in 2008, Gamba won the champions in 2008 AFC Champions League first Asian title in the club history. Gamba also won the 2008 Emperor's Cup. At Emperor's Cup final, he played as substitute forward and scored a winning goal in extra time. However his opportunity to play decreased behind new player Cho Jae-jin and Leandro in 2009. In 2010, Bando moved to Osaka's cross town rivals, Cerezo Osaka. Although he played many matches as substitute forward, he scored 10 goals in 2011. However he could hardly play in the match in 2013. In July, he moved to Sagan Tosu. However he could not play many matches. In 2015, he moved to J2 club Omiya Ardija. He played many matches in 2015 and Ardija was promoted to J1. However he could hardly play in the match from 2016. In 2018, he move to J3 League club FC Ryukyu. He played many matches and the club won the champions in 2018. Although the club was promoted to J2 from 2019, he retired end of the 2018 season.
In 1999, Bando was selected the Japan U-20 national team for 1999 World Youth Championship. He played 5 matches and Japan won the 2nd place. On October 4, 2006, he debuted for the Japan national team against Ghana. He played 7 games and scored 2 goals for Japan until 2008.
Statistics.
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