Shoki Hirai facts for kids
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Shoki Hirai | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 4 December 1987 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Tokushima, Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Striker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current club | FC Maruyasu Okazaki | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003–2005 | Gamba Osaka Youth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2013 | Gamba Osaka | 90 | (31) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | → Albirex Niigata (loan) | 21 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2016 | Avispa Fukuoka | 88 | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017–2018 | Giravanz Kitakyushu | 27 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | → FC Maruyasu Okazaki (loan) | 8 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019– | FC Maruyasu Okazaki | 27 | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team‡ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | Japan U-20 | 1 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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† Appearances (Goals). |
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Shoki Hirai (平井 将生, Hirai Shōki, born 4 December 1987 in Tokushima) is a Japanese footballer. He plays as a striker for FC Maruyasu Okazaki.
Contents
Shoki Hirai's Football Journey
Shoki Hirai was born in Tokushima, Japan, on December 4, 1987. He started playing football at a young age for his local team, Kamihachiman SC. Later, he joined Premiere SC in 2000 to play at a higher level.
Joining Gamba Osaka's Youth Team
When Shoki was 15, he was invited to join the youth academy of Gamba Osaka, a well-known Japanese football club. After training there for three years, he signed his first professional contract with Gamba Osaka on December 6, 2005. He joined the main team and was given the number 34 jersey.
Making His Professional Debut
Shoki Hirai played his first professional game on December 9, 2006. This was in the Emperor's Cup, a big football tournament in Japan. The next season, he changed his jersey number to 14.
Playing Time and First Goals
In the 2008 season, Shoki started to play more often. He made his debut in the J. League (Japan's top football league) on April 27, 2008, coming in as a substitute. He scored his first professional goal on July 2, 2008, in a J. League Cup match. This goal helped Gamba Osaka win the game 1-0. During this time, he signed a new five-year contract with the club.
A Great Season in 2010
The 2010 season was one of Shoki Hirai's best. He played in 31 matches and scored 20 goals, which was a career high for him. On March 23, 2010, he scored his first ever hat-trick (three goals in one game) in an AFC Champions League match. His amazing performance helped his team win 4-2, and he was named the Man of the Match.
Moving to Other Clubs
On January 12, 2012, Shoki Hirai joined Albirex Niigata on a loan for the 2012 season. A loan means he played for them for a short time before returning to his original club or moving permanently. After his time at Gamba Osaka, he also played for Avispa Fukuoka and Giravanz Kitakyushu. Currently, he plays for FC Maruyasu Okazaki.
Shoki Hirai's International Appearances
On March 16, 2007, Shoki Hirai was called up to play for the Japan U-20 squad. He played his first game for the U20 team on March 25, coming in as a substitute against Cape Verde.
Team Achievements
Shoki Hirai has won several important trophies with his teams:
- AFC Champions League – 2008
- Emperor's Cup – 2008
- Japanese Super Cup – 2007
See also
In Spanish: Shōki Hirai para niños
