Masashi Watanabe (渡辺 正, Watanabe Masashi, January 11, 1936 – December 7, 1995) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team. He also managed Japan national team.

Masashi Watanabe
渡辺 正
Personal information
Full name Masashi Watanabe
Date of birth (1936-01-11)January 11, 1936
Place of birth Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Empire of Japan
Date of death December 7, 1995(1995-12-07) (aged 59)
Place of death Chiba, Chiba, Japan
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
1951 Sotoku High School
1951–1953 Motomachi High School
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1958–1961 Rikkyo University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1954–1958 Yawata Steel
1962–1971 Nippon Steel 79 (19)
Total 79 (19)
International career
1958–1969 Japan 39 (12)
Managerial career
1969–1975 Nippon Steel
1980 Japan
Medal record
Nippon Steel
Runner-up Japan Soccer League 1965
Runner-up Japan Soccer League 1966
Winner Emperor's Cup 1964
Runner-up Emperor's Cup 1956
Runner-up Emperor's Cup 1968
Runner-up Emperor's Cup 1965
Representing  Japan
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1968 Mexico City Team
Asian Games
Bronze medal – third place 1966 Bangkok Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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Watanabe was born in Hiroshima on January 11, 1936. After graduating from high school, he joined Yawata Steel (later Nippon Steel) in 1954. In 1958, he left Yawata Steel and entered Rikkyo University. After graduating from Rikkyo University, he joined Yawata Steel again in 1962. In 1965, Yawata Steel joined new league Japan Soccer League. He retired in 1971. He played 79 games and scored 19 goals in the league. He was selected Best Eleven in 1968.

National team career

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On December 25, 1958, when Watanabe was a Rikkyo University student, he debuted for Japan national team against Hong Kong. He played at 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. At 1968 Summer Olympics, he played 5 games and scored 2 goals against Brazil and France. Japan also won Bronze Medal. In 2018, this team was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame. He also played at 1962 and 1966 Asian Games. He played 39 games and scored 19 goals for Japan until 1969.[1]

Coaching career

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In 1969, when Watanabe played for Yawata Steel (later Nippon Steel), he became a playing manager. He managed the club until 1975. In 1979, he became an assistant coach for Japan national team under manager Yukio Shimomura. At 1980 Asian Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in April 1980, following Japan's failure to qualify for 1980 Summer Olympics, Shimomura resigned a manager. In May, Watanabe was promoted to manager as Shimomura successor. However, just before 1982 World Cup qualification in December, he suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage and replaced to Saburo Kawabuchi.

On December 7, 1995, Watanabe died of heart failure in Chiba at the age of 59. In 2006, he was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame.

National team statistics

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[1]

Japan national team
Year Apps Goals
1958 2 1
1959 8 4
1960 1 0
1961 6 1
1962 3 0
1963 5 3
1964 1 0
1965 3 0
1966 2 1
1967 3 1
1968 2 0
1969 3 1
Total 39 12

Awards and honors

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Japan National Football Team Database". Archived from the original on 2018-08-28. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  2. ^ "WATANABE Masashi". Japan Football Association. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
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