Tomokazu Myojin facts for kids
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 24 January 1978 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Kobe, Hyogo, Japan | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.74 m | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Midfielder | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1993–1995 | Kashiwa Reysol | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1996–2005 | Kashiwa Reysol | 252 | (12) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2015 | Gamba Osaka | 250 | (14) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | Nagoya Grampus | 15 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2017–2019 | Nagano Parceiro | 38 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 538 | (26) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| National team | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1997 | Japan U-20 | 5 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | Japan U-23 | 4 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2002 | Japan | 26 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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Tomokazu Myojin (明神 智和, Myōjin Tomokazu, born 24 January 1978) is a Japanese former professional footballer. He played as a midfielder. Myojin was also a key player for the Japan national team.
Club Career Highlights
Myojin was born in Kobe, Japan, on January 24, 1978. He started his professional football journey with J1 League club Kashiwa Reysol in 1996. He quickly became a regular player, often playing as a defensive midfielder.
Under manager Akira Nishino, Myojin helped Kashiwa Reysol achieve great success. In 1999, the team won the J.League Cup. They also finished third in the J1 League that year and again in 2000. Myojin's excellent performance earned him a spot in the J.League Best Eleven team in 2000. He played 252 league games for Kashiwa Reysol, scoring 12 goals, before leaving in 2005.
In 2006, Myojin moved to Gamba Osaka, where he reunited with manager Akira Nishino. This period was a "golden era" for Gamba Osaka. Myojin was a central player as the club won many titles. They won the 2007 J.League Cup, and the Emperor's Cup in 2008 and 2009.
Gamba Osaka also found success in Asia. They won the 2008 AFC Champions League and finished third in the 2008 Club World Cup. Myojin continued to be a vital part of the team. Even after their manager left and the team was relegated to J2 League in 2012, Myojin stayed. He helped Gamba Osaka win the J2 League title and return to J1. In 2014, Gamba Osaka achieved a rare "treble," winning the J1 League, J.League Cup, and Emperor's Cup. Myojin played 250 league games for Gamba Osaka, scoring 14 goals. He left the club at the end of the 2015 season.
Myojin then played for Nagoya Grampus in 2016 and Nagano Parceiro from 2017 to 2019. He retired from professional football at the end of 2019.
International Career Highlights
Myojin also had a successful career playing for Japan's national teams. In June 1997, he was part of the Japan U20 national team for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship. He played every minute of all five matches as a strong defensive midfielder.
In September 2000, he joined the Japan U23 national team for the 2000 Summer Olympics. He played all four matches, often alongside fellow midfielder Junichi Inamoto.
From 2000 to 2002, Myojin played 26 times for the senior Japan national team and scored 3 goals. He was part of the Japan squad that won the 2000 AFC Asian Cup. He also played in three games at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which Japan co-hosted.
Honors
Kashiwa Reysol
- J.League Cup – 1999
Gamba Osaka
- AFC Champions League – 2008
- Pan-Pacific Championship – 2008
- J1 League – 2014
- Emperor's Cup – 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015
- J.League Cup – 2007
- Japanese Super Cup – 2007, 2015
Japan
- AFC Asian Cup – 2000
Individual
- J.League Best Eleven – 2000
See also
In Spanish: Tomokazu Myōjin para niños
