Masami Ihara
Masami Ihara (井原 正巳, Ihara Masami, born September 18, 1967 in Minakuchi, Shiga) is a former Japanese football player. 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 long standing record of 122 national team appearances was bested by Yasuhito Endo on October 16, 2012 among male footballers.[2] (Homare Sawa has surpassed that total among Japanese women).
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 partnership with the flamboyant Tsuyoshi Kitazawa at club level. After graduating from Tsukuba University, Ihara joined Nissan Motors SC (now known as Yokohama F. 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.[3] 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.
Club career statistics
International career statistics
[4]
| Japan national team |
|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
|
| 1988 | 5 | 0 |
| 1989 | 11 | 0 |
| 1990 | 6 | 0 |
| 1991 | 2 | 0 |
| 1992 | 11 | 0 |
| 1993 | 15 | 2 |
| 1994 | 9 | 1 |
| 1995 | 16 | 1 |
| 1996 | 13 | 0 |
| 1997 | 21 | 1 |
| 1998 | 10 | 0 |
| 1999 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 122 | 5 |
Coach career
Managerial statistics
- As of 25 February 2015.
| Team |
From |
To |
Record |
| G | W | D | L | Win % |
| Avispa Fukuoka |
January 2015 |
Present |
|
|
|
|
|
| Total |
|
|
|
|
|
Honors and awards
- Asian Footballer of the Year: 1995
- J. League Best Eleven: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
- Emperor Cup: 1991, 1992
- J - League: 1995
- Asian Cup Winners Cup: 1992
- Japanese Super Cup: 2000
National team
See also
References
External links
| Masami Ihara - International tournaments |
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