Masami Ihara
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| Masami Ihara | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Masami Ihara | |
| Date of birth | September 18, 1967 | |
| Place of birth | Kazuno, Shiga, Japan | |
| Height | 1.82 m (5 ft 111⁄2 in) | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Retired | |
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 1990-1999 2000 2001-2002 |
Yokohama Marinos Jubilo Iwata Urawa Red Diamonds |
267 (5) 20 (1) 54 (1) |
| National team | ||
| 1988-1999 | Japan | 122 (5) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
Masami Ihara (井原 正巳 Ihara Masami?, born September 18, 1967 in Minakuchi, Shiga) is a former Japanese footballer. The influential defender was captain of the Japan national football team for more than a decade in the 1990s, together with striker Kazuyoshi Miura and Brazilian-born midfielder Ruy Ramos. Ihara's record of 122 national team appearances has yet to be equalled by another Japanese man (Homare Sawa has surpassed that total among Japanese women).
Contents |
[edit] Career
Ihara was rarely out of the spotlight in the emerging J-League throughout the 1990s. He spent most of his career with Yokohama Marinos and formed a key defensive partnersip with the flamboyant Kitazawa at club level. After graduating from Tsukuba University, Ihara joined Nissan Motor FC (now known as Yokohama Marinos) and rapidly rose through the Marinos youth ranks to become a key player. The long-serving Ihara was so important to his club that he was nicknamed Mister Marinos by many Japanese fans.[1] He formed the backbone of the club and also helped to bring on talented youngsters like Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi and Shunsuke Nakamura.
During the 1998 World Cup in France, the veteran sweeper's experience was crucial to Japan's survival in their very first World Cup appearance, forming a flat back four defence with strong centre-back Yutaka Akita as well as speedy fullbacks Naoki Soma and Akira Narahashi (all from Kashima Antlers). Young Marinos goalkeeper, Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi was Japan's first choice goalkeeper at the time.
After leaving Marinos, Ihara also spent a season with Júbilo Iwata and his last 2 seasons with Urawa Red Diamonds prior to becoming a coach.
[edit] Clubs
- 1983 - 1985 Moriyama High School
- 1986 - 1989 Tsukuba University
- 1990 - 1999 Nissan F.C. / Yokohama Marinos / Yokohama F. Marinos
- 2000 - 2000 Júbilo Iwata
- 2001 - 2002 Urawa Red Diamonds
[edit] Honors and awards
- Asian Player of the Year: 1995
- J-League Best Eleven: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
[edit] National team
- 1992 Asian Cup (Champions)
- 1996 Asian Cup
- 1998 FIFA World Cup
[edit] References
- ^ Masami Ihara. J-League Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-09-07.
[edit] External links
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
Preceded by Saeed Owairan |
Asian Footballer of the Year 1995 |
Succeeded by Khodadad Azizi |
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