Akira Matsunaga (footballer, born 1948)

Japanese association football player

Akira Matsunaga (松永 章, Matsunaga Akira, born August 8, 1948) is a former Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.

Akira Matsunaga
Personal information
Full name Akira Matsunaga
Date of birth (1948-08-08) August 8, 1948 (age 75)
Place of birth Shizuoka, Japan
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
1964–1966 Fujieda Higashi High School
1967–1970 Waseda University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1971–1982 Hitachi 176 (82)
Total 176 (82)
National team
1973–1976 Japan 10 (2)
Honours
Hitachi
Winner Japan Soccer League 1972
Runner-up Japan Soccer League 1973
Runner-up Japan Soccer League 1982
Winner JSL Cup 1976
Runner-up JSL Cup 1980
Winner Emperor's Cup 1972
Winner Emperor's Cup 1975
Runner-up Emperor's Cup 1973
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Biography change

Matsunaga was born in Shizuoka Prefecture on August 8, 1948. After graduating from Waseda University, he joined Japan Soccer League club Hitachi in 1971. In 1972, the club won the champions in Japan Soccer League and Emperor's Cup. The club also won 1975 Emperor's Cup and 1976 JSL Cup. He scored many goals in early 1970s and competed with Kunishige Kamamoto for top scorer. Matsunaga retired in 1982. He played 176 games and scored 82 goals in the league and became a top scorer in 1972 and 1973. He was also selected Best Eleven for 4 years in a row (1972-1975).

In May 1973, Matsunaga was selected the Japan national team for 1974 World Cup qualification. At this qualification, on May 22, he debuted against Hong Kong. He also played at 1976 Summer Olympics qualification. This qualification was his last game for Japan. He played 10 games and scored 2 goals for Japan until 1976.

Statistics change

[1]

Club statistics League
SeasonClubLeague AppsGoals
JapanLeague
1971 Hitachi JSL Division 1 11 4
1972 14 12
1973 18 11
1974 18 17
1975 18 15
1976 5 0
1977 15 4
1978 18 7
1979 18 2
1980 17 4
1981 16 4
1982 8 2
Country Japan 176 82
Total 176 82

[2]

Japan national team
YearAppsGoals
1973 3 0
1974 0 0
1975 0 0
1976 7 2
Total 10 2

References change

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