Nobuo Matsunaga facts for kids
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Nobuo Matsunaga | ||
| Date of birth | December 6, 1921 | ||
| Place of birth | Shida District, Shizuoka, Empire of Japan | ||
| Date of death | September 25, 2007 (aged 85) | ||
| Place of death | Fujieda, Shizuoka, Japan | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Shida High School | |||
| Tokyo Liberal Arts and Science University | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Nippon Light Metal | |||
| International career | |||
| 1954–1955 | Japan | 4 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| Nippon Light Metal | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Nobuo Matsunaga (松永 信夫, Matsunaga Nobuo, December 6, 1921 – September 25, 2007) was a Japanese football player and manager. He was a talented midfielder who played for the Japan national team. His brothers, Akira Matsunaga and Seki Matsunaga, were also famous footballers who played for Japan.
Contents
Who Was Nobuo Matsunaga?
Nobuo Matsunaga was born in Shida District, Shizuoka, Japan, on December 6, 1921. He grew up to become a well-known figure in Japanese football. He was not only a skilled player but also a successful manager.
Early Life and Club Football
After finishing high school, Nobuo Matsunaga continued his education at Tokyo Liberal Arts and Science University. During his time there, he played football and developed his skills. After university, he joined a club called Nippon Light Metal. He played for this team throughout his club career.
Playing for Japan's National Team
Nobuo Matsunaga's talent as a midfielder was recognized, and he was chosen to play for the Japan national team. This is the highest level a player can reach in their country.
In March 1954, he joined the national team for the 1954 World Cup qualification matches. He made his first appearance for Japan on March 14, playing against South Korea. He also represented Japan at the 1954 Asian Games. In total, he played 4 games for Japan between 1954 and 1955.
Life as a Coach
After he stopped playing football professionally, Matsunaga decided to become a manager. He took on the role of manager for his former club, Nippon Light Metal. In 1972, he led the club to success, helping them get promoted to a higher division called the Japan Soccer League Division 2.
His Legacy in Football
Nobuo Matsunaga passed away on September 25, 2007, in Fujieda, Shizuoka, at the age of 85. He died from lymphoma, which is a type of cancer. He is remembered for his contributions to Japanese football, both as a player and as a manager.
National Team Statistics
The table below shows how many games Nobuo Matsunaga played for the Japan national team each year.
| Japan national team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 1954 | 3 | 0 |
| 1955 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 4 | 0 |
See also
In Spanish: Nobuo Matsunaga para niños
