Yasuhiko Okudera facts for kids
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 12 March 1952 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Kazuno, Akita, Japan | ||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.77 m | ||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1967–1969 | Sagami Institute of Technology High School | ||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | ||||||||||||||||
| 1970–1977 | Furukawa Electric | 100 | (36) | ||||||||||||||||
| 1977–1980 | 1. FC Köln | 75 | (15) | ||||||||||||||||
| 1980–1981 | Hertha BSC | 25 | (8) | ||||||||||||||||
| 1981–1986 | Werder Bremen | 159 | (11) | ||||||||||||||||
| 1986–1988 | Furukawa Electric | 43 | (3) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | 402 | (73) | |||||||||||||||||
| National team | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1972–1987 | Japan | 32 | (9) | ||||||||||||||||
| Teams managed | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1996 | JEF United Ichihara | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | Yokohama FC | ||||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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Yasuhiko Okudera (奥寺 康彦, Okudera Yasuhiko, born 12 March 1952) is a famous Japanese former football player and manager. He made history as the first Japanese footballer to play professionally in Europe. He was also the first Asian player to score a goal in the European Cup. Okudera played as a midfielder and represented the Japan national team 32 times, scoring nine goals. Today, he is the president of the J2 League club Yokohama FC. He was also once the president of the English club Plymouth Argyle.
Contents
Playing Career: From Japan to Europe
Starting in Japan: Furukawa Electric
Yasuhiko Okudera began his football journey in 1970. He played for Furukawa Electric, a team in Japan's top league, the Japan Soccer League. In 1976, his team won both the league title and the Emperor's Cup. Okudera was recognized as one of the best players that year. The team also won the JSL Cup in May 1977.
Making History in Germany: 1. FC Köln
In the summer of 1977, Okudera's team visited Germany. There, a coach from the German club 1. FC Köln noticed his talent. Okudera then joined Köln in July 1977. On October 5, 1977, he played his first game, becoming the first Japanese player ever to play in a top European league. That year, Köln won the Bundesliga title!
Okudera continued to make history. On April 11, 1979, he scored a goal in a big European Cup semi-final match. This made him the first Asian player to score in the European Cup.
Moving to Hertha BSC and Werder Bremen
After a few years, Okudera moved to Hertha BSC, another German club. Later, he joined Werder Bremen. The coach there, Otto Rehhagel, saw his skills. At Werder Bremen, Okudera started playing a new role as an attacking full-back. His team finished second in the league three times between 1981 and 1986.
Returning Home: Furukawa Electric Again
In 1986, Okudera returned to his old club, Furukawa Electric, in Japan. He became one of the first truly professional players in the Japanese league. Before him, most players were amateurs. He helped his team win the Asian Club Championship in 1986. Okudera played his last game in 1988, ending his amazing career with 234 games and 26 goals in Germany.
Playing for His Country: Japan National Team
Yasuhiko Okudera first played for the Japan national team on July 12, 1972. He played in important matches like the 1976 Asian Cup qualification. While he was playing in Germany, he was not part of the national team for many years.
In September 1986, at 34 years old, he returned to play for Japan in the 1986 Asian Games. His last game for Japan was in 1987. In total, he played 32 games and scored 9 goals for his country.
Life After Playing: A Football Leader
Helping Japanese Football Grow
When Okudera returned to Japan, he helped change Japanese football. Before him, most players were not paid just to play football. He was the first Japanese player to be a full professional in his home league. This helped Japanese football become more professional.
Leading Football Clubs
After the J1 League started in 1993, Okudera became the president and manager of Furukawa, which was now called JEF United Ichihara. In 1998, he helped create a new club called Yokohama FC. With Okudera as president, Yokohama FC grew and eventually reached the top J1 League in 2006.
Okudera also had a role with the English club Plymouth Argyle in 2008. He worked to help the club connect with fans around the world, especially in Asia.
Recognized for His Impact
Yasuhiko Okudera's contributions to football have been recognized. He was added to the Japan Football Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2014, he was also inducted into the Asian Football Hall of Fame. In 2017, he briefly stepped in as a caretaker manager for Yokohama FC.
Honours and Achievements
Furukawa Electric
- Japan Soccer League: 1976
- Emperor's Cup: 1976
- Japanese Super Cup: 1977
- Asian Club Championship: 1986–87
1. FC Köln
- Bundesliga: 1977–78
- DFB-Pokal: 1977–78
Werder Bremen
- Bundesliga runner-up: 1982–83, 1984–85, 1985–86
Japan
- Pestabola Merdeka runner-up: 1976
Individual Awards
- Japan Soccer League Best Eleven: 1976, 1986–87
- Japan Football Hall of Fame: 2012
- Asian Football Hall of Fame: 2014
Images for kids
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Yasuhiko Okudera
See also
In Spanish: Yasuhiko Okudera para niños
