Taizo Kawamoto facts for kids

Taizo Kawamoto (川本 泰三, Kawamoto Taizō, January 17, 1914 – September 20, 1985) was a famous Japanese football player and coach. He played as a forward for the Japan national team. Later, he also became the manager of the Japan national team.

Playing for Clubs

Taizo Kawamoto was born in Seto, Japan, on January 17, 1914. He played football for a team called Waseda WMW. This team was made up of players and graduates from his university. In 1940, his team finished second in a big competition called the Emperor's Cup.

In 1941, Taizo Kawamoto served in the military during World War II. After the war, he was held in the Soviet Union for four years. He returned to Japan in December 1949 when he was 35 years old. He then joined a new team, Osaka SC. Osaka SC also did very well, finishing second in the Emperor's Cup three times. This happened in 1951, 1952, and 1953.

Playing for Japan's National Team

In May 1934, while still a student, Taizo Kawamoto was chosen to play for the Japan national football team. His first game was at the 1934 Far Eastern Championship Games in Manila. In that game, on May 13, he scored a goal against the Dutch East Indies.

In 1936, he was part of the Japan team for the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. He scored an important goal against Sweden. Japan won this game in a surprising comeback. This was Japan's first ever victory in football at the Olympics. This amazing win became known as the "Miracle of Berlin." In 2016, this special team was honored and chosen for the Japan Football Hall of Fame.

After World War II, Kawamoto continued to play for Japan. He played in the 1954 FIFA World Cup qualification and the 1954 Asian Games. He was also part of the team for the 1956 Summer Olympics as a player and assistant coach, but he did not play in any games. He played a total of 9 games for Japan and scored 4 goals until 1954. On May 3, 1954, he became the oldest player to ever play for the Japan national team. He was 40 years and 106 days old!

Coaching Japan's National Team

In 1956, Taizo Kawamoto worked as an assistant coach for the Japan national team. In 1958, he became the main manager for the Japan national team. This was for the 1958 Asian Games held in Tokyo. Japan played against the Philippines and Hong Kong. However, Japan lost both games. After these losses, he decided to step down as manager.

Taizo Kawamoto passed away on September 20, 1985, in Osaka. He was 71 years old. In 2005, he was honored again when he was chosen for the Japan Football Hall of Fame after his death.

National Team Statistics

National Team Goals

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	13 May 1934	Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines	Dutch East Indies	1–7	Lost	1934 Far Eastern Championship Games
2.	15 May 1934	Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines	Philippines	4–3	Won	1934 Far Eastern Championship Games
3.	4 August 1936	Hertha-BSC-Platz, Berlin, Germany	Sweden	3–2	Won	1936 Summer Olympics
4.	16 June 1940	Koshien South Ground, Nishinomiya, Japan	Philippines	1–0	Won	2600th National Foundation Festival

See also

In Spanish: Taizo Kawamoto para niños