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Ryuichi Sugiyama
杉山 隆一
Ryuichi Sugiyama 1964 (cropped).jpg
Sugiyama at the 1964 Olympics
Personal information
Full name Ryuichi Sugiyama
Date of birth (1941-07-04) July 4, 1941 (age 84)
Place of birth Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
Height 1.69 m (5 ft 6+12 in)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
1957–1960 Shimizu Higashi High School
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1962–1965 Meiji University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1966–1973 Mitsubishi Motors 115 (41)
Total 115 (41)
International career
1960–1971 Japan 56 (15)
Managerial career
1974–1987 Yamaha Motors
Medal record
Mitsubishi Motors
Winner Japan Soccer League 1969
Winner Japan Soccer League 1973
Runner-up Japan Soccer League 1970
Runner-up Japan Soccer League 1971
Winner Emperor's Cup 1971
Winner Emperor's Cup 1973
Runner-up Emperor's Cup 1967
Runner-up Emperor's Cup 1968
Representing  Japan
Olympic Games
Bronze 1968 Mexico City Team
Asian Games
Bronze 1966 Bangkok Team
Representing  Japan
AFC U-19 Championship
Bronze 1959 Malaya
Bronze 1960 Malaya
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Ryuichi Sugiyama (born July 4, 1941) is a famous Japanese former professional football player and manager. He was a forward, which means he played in an attacking position. Sugiyama is well-known for playing many games for the Japan national team.

Playing for Clubs

Sugiyama was born in Shizuoka, Japan. After finishing university, he joined a club called Mitsubishi Motors in 1966. This team played in the Japan Soccer League.

He helped his team win the league championship twice, in 1969 and 1973. They also won the Emperor's Cup in 1971 and 1973. Sugiyama played almost every game for his team during his eight seasons there. He was so good that he was chosen for the "Best Eleven" team (a team of the best players in the league) every year he played. He was also named the Japanese Footballer of the Year three times (in 1964, 1969, and 1973). He stopped playing football in 1973.

Playing for the National Team

Sugiyama started playing for the Japan national team in 1961. He played in two Olympic Games.

1964 Tokyo Olympics

He played in the 1964 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo. He scored two goals in three games during this tournament.

1968 Mexico City Olympics

He also played in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. Japan's team won a bronze medal at these Olympics, which was a big achievement! Sugiyama played six matches and helped his team score five goals. In 2018, this successful team was honored and chosen for the Japan Football Hall of Fame.

Sugiyama also represented Japan in the Asian Games in 1962, 1966, and 1970. His last game for Japan was in 1971 during the qualification matches for the 1972 Summer Olympics. In total, he played 56 games for Japan and scored 15 goals.

Becoming a Coach

After he stopped playing, Sugiyama became a football manager. In 1974, he started coaching a team called Yamaha Motors. He helped this club move up to the top division of the Japan Soccer League. He was their coach for a long time, from 1974 to 1987, making him their longest-serving manager.

In 2005, Ryuichi Sugiyama was recognized for his amazing career and was chosen for the Japan Football Hall of Fame.

Awards and Achievements

  • Japanese Football Player of the Year: 1964, 1969, 1973
  • Japan Soccer League Best Eleven: 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973
  • Japan Soccer League Silver Ball (Assist Leader): 1968, 1969, 1971
  • Asian All Stars: 1967, 1968
  • Japan Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2005

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Ryuichi Sugiyama para niños

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