Koji Tanaka

Japanese association football player and manager

Koji Tanaka (田中 孝司, Tanaka Koji, born November 2, 1955) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for the Japan national team.

Koji Tanaka
Personal information
Full name Koji Tanaka
Date of birth (1955-11-02) November 2, 1955 (age 68)
Place of birth Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1971–1973 Saitama Urawa High School
1974–1977 Meiji University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1978–1989 NKK
National team
1982–1984 Japan 20 (3)
Teams managed
1993–1995 Japan U-20
1997–1999 Nagoya Grampus Eight
2001–2002 Shonan Bellmare
Honours
NKK
Runner-up Japan Soccer League 1985/86
Runner-up Japan Soccer League 1986/87
Runner-up Japan Soccer League 1987/88
Winner JSL Cup 1980
Winner JSL Cup 1987
Winner Emperor's Cup 1981
Runner-up Emperor's Cup 1986
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Biography change

Tanaka was born in Saitama on November 2, 1955. After graduating from Meiji University, he joined Japan Soccer League club Nippon Kokan (later NKK) in 1978. The club won the champions at 1980 JSL Cup and 1981 Emperor's Cup. From 1985, the club won the 2nd place for 3 years in a row in the league and won the champions 1987 JSL Cup. He retired in 1989.

On July 15, 1982, Tanaka debuted for the Japan national team against Romania. In November, he played at 1982 Asian Games. In 1983 and 1984, he played at 1984 Summer Olympics qualification. He played 20 games and scored 3 goals for Japan until 1984.

After retirement, Tanaka started coaching career at NKK in 1989. In 1993, he became a manager for the Japan U-20 national team. At 1995 World Youth Championship, he led U-20 Japan to advanced to the quarter-finals. In 1995, he signed with Nagoya Grampus Eight and became an assistant coach. In November 1997, he became a manager as Carlos Queiroz successor. He was sacked in April 1999. In 2001, he signed with J2 League club Shonan Bellmare and managed the club until 2002.

Statistics change

[1]

Club statistics League
SeasonClubLeague AppsGoals
JapanLeague
1978 Nippon Kokan JSL Division 1 18 0
1979 16 1
1980 JSL Division 2
1981
1982 JSL Division 1 18 0
1983 JSL Division 2 17 1
1984 JSL Division 1 18 0
1985/86 15 0
1986/87 22 0
1987/88 22 0
1988/89 NKK JSL Division 1 14 0
Country Japan 160+ 2+
Total 160+ 2+

[2]

Japan national team
YearAppsGoals
1982 6 0
1983 8 3
1984 6 0
Total 20 3

References change

Other websites change