Ryoichi Maeda facts for kids
Maeda in 2010
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 9 October 1981 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Kobe, Hyogo, Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1997–1999 | Gyosei High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2014 | Júbilo Iwata | 363 | (154) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015–2018 | FC Tokyo | 103 | (17) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017–2018 | FC Tokyo U-23 | 10 | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019–2020 | FC Gifu | 59 | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 525 | (177) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2001 | Japan U-20 | 12 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003–2004 | Japan U-23 | 5 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2013 | Japan | 33 | (10) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Managerial career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021–2022 | Jubilo Iwata U-18 (Head coach) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023– | Japan (assistant coach) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Medal record
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of end of 2020 season | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ryoichi Maeda (前田 遼一, Maeda Ryōichi, born 9 October 1981) is a famous Japanese football coach and former player. He played as a forward, which means he was usually trying to score goals. He was recognized as the J.League Top Scorer and was part of the J.League Best XI (a team of the best players) in both 2009 and 2010.
Today, Maeda works as an assistant coach for the Japan national team.
Contents
Maeda's Club Journey
Maeda was born in Kobe, Japan. He went to Gyosei Junior and Senior High School in Tokyo, where he also played football. Even while he was still in high school, he was chosen as a special player for development by the J.League and the JFA. This allowed him to be a player for Verdy Kawasaki while still playing for his school team. However, he didn't play in any official matches for Verdy.
Starting with Júbilo Iwata
After finishing high school in 2000, Maeda joined Júbilo Iwata. He played his first professional game on May 3, 2000, against Kawasaki Frontale. His first professional goal came later, on August 28, 2001, in a J.League Cup game.
From 2003, Maeda became a regular player for Júbilo Iwata. He was a fantastic scorer, becoming the J.League Top Scorer in 2009 with 20 goals. He repeated this amazing feat in 2010, scoring 17 goals. In 2010, Júbilo Iwata also won the 2010 J.League Cup. Maeda scored two goals in the final and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.
Unfortunately, Júbilo Iwata was moved down to the J2 League at the end of the 2013 season. In 2014, Maeda scored 17 goals, but his team finished fourth and couldn't get back into the J1 League.
Moving to FC Tokyo and FC Gifu
In 2015, Maeda moved to FC Tokyo, a team in the J1 League. He played regularly until 2016. After that, he didn't get to play as much and found it harder to score goals.
In 2019, Maeda joined FC Gifu, which was a J2 League club at the time. He played there until 2020.
The "Curse of Maeda"
There was a fun and interesting story about Maeda called the "curse of Maeda." From 2007 to 2012, for six seasons in a row, any team that Maeda scored his very first goal of the league season against ended up being moved down to the J2 League.
This "curse" became a big topic in 2012 when Gamba Osaka was the first team Maeda scored against that season. Gamba Osaka was usually a top team, but they were in danger of being moved down. And guess what? The "curse" continued! Gamba Osaka was indeed moved down to J2 after losing their last game of the season to Júbilo Iwata, with Maeda scoring a goal and helping with another.
The "curse" finally ended at the end of the 2013 season. Maeda's first goal that year was against Urawa, and Urawa did not get moved down. So, the curse was broken!
Playing for Japan
Maeda also played for Japan's national football teams.
Youth National Teams
He played for the Japan U20 at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship. He also played for the Japan U23 in the qualifiers for the 2004 Summer Olympics. However, he wasn't chosen for the final team that went to the Olympics in Greece.
Senior National Team
Because of his great playing at his club, Maeda made his first appearance for the Japan senior team on August 22, 2007, in a friendly game against Cameroon. He scored his first goal for Japan on October 17, 2007, in a friendly match against Egypt.
In 2011, Maeda played in his first big international tournament, the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar. He played in all six games as Japan won the Asian Cup! He was also part of the Japan team for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. Overall, he played 33 games for Japan and scored 10 goals before 2013.
Career Highlights and Awards
Maeda won many awards and championships during his career.
Team Achievements
- Júbilo Iwata
- J1 League: 2002
- J.League Cup: 2010
- Japanese Super Cup: 2003
- Japan
- AFC Asian Cup: 2011
- Afro-Asian Cup of Nations: 2007
Individual Awards
- Asian Young Footballer of the Year: 2000
- J.League Top Scorer: 2009, 2010
- J.League Best XI: 2009, 2010
- J.League Cup MVP: 2010
See also
In Spanish: Ryōichi Maeda para niños
