Kazunori Iio
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Kazunori Iio | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kazunori Iio | |
| Date of birth | February 23, 1982 | |
| Place of birth | Iwata, Shizuoka, Japan | |
| Height | 168 cm | |
| Position | Striker | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Avispa Fukuoka | |
Kazunori Iio (飯尾 一慶, Iio Kazunori, born February 23, 1982) is a Japanese football player. He is was borin in Iwata, a city located in Shizuoka, Japan. He currently plays in the top division of the J. League, for Avispa Fukuoka. Iio was transferred to Avispa in mid-2006 from recently relegated Division 2 team Tokyo Verdy. He can also list Kawasaki Frontale amongst his former employers.
Iio has represented Japan at Under-20 level, but has yet to be given a full international cap. Iio was selected for the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship, along with his strike partner at Verdy, Kazuki Hiramoto.
Iio made a name for himself when he scored Verdy's first goal in the final of the 2004 Emperor's Cup. The match ended in a 2-1 victory for Verdy over Jubilo Iwata. Hiramoto netted Verdy's second, whilst Norihiro Nishi provided Jubilo's consolation]]. It was the first time Verdy had won the Emperor's Cup since 1996.
Upon Iio's transfer to Avispa in 2006, he received a relatively high squad number of 34. Despite this, he quickly established himself as a first-choice striker. During the 2006 season, Avispa would usually play with two men up front, with Iio on the left, and Takanori Nunobe to his right.
Iio's first J. League appearance for Avispa came against FC Tokyo on 19 July 2006, when he came on as a 84th minute substitute for fellow striker Mitsunori Yabuta. This game was held at the Hakata no Mori Stadium, and ended in a goalless draw. Iio would not have to wait long for his first Avispa goal however, as just 10 days later, on the 29 July 2006 contest between Gamba Osaka and Avispa, Iio netted a goal in a match that eventually ended in a 2-2 draw.
