Masakuni Yamamoto

Masakuni Yamamoto
Personal information
Full name	Masakuni Yamamoto
Date of birth	April 4, 1958 (age 66)
Place of birth	Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
Height	1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
1974–1976	Nihon University Mishima High School
1977–1980	Kokushikan University
Senior career*
Years	Team
1981–1987	Yamaha Motors
Total
National team
1980–1981	Japan
Teams managed
1995–1997	Japan U-20
2002–2004	Japan U-23
2004–2006	Júbilo Iwata
Honours
Yamaha Motors
	* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Masakuni Yamamoto (山本昌邦, Yamamoto Masakuni, born April 4, 1958) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for the Japan national team.

Biography

Yamamoto was born in Numazu on April 4, 1958. After graduating from Kokushikan University, he joined Japan Soccer League club Yamaha Motors in 1981. First season, the club finished at the bottom place and was relegated to Division 2. In 1982, the club won the champions and was promoted Division 1. The club also won 1982 Emperor's Cup. He retired in 1987. He played 109 games and scored 3 goals in the league.

In December 1980, when Yamamoto was a Kokushikan University student, he was selected the Japan national team for 1982 World Cup qualification. At this qualification, on December 26, he debuted against China. He played 4 games for Japan in 1981.

After retirement, Yamamoto started coaching career at Yamaha Motors (later Júbilo Iwata) in 1987. In 1995, he became a manager for Japan U-20 national team and managed at 1997 World Youth Championship. In 1997, he returned to Júbilo Iwata. In October 1998, he became an assistant coach for Japan national team under manager Philippe Troussier. After 2002 World Cup, in August, Yamamoto became a manager for Japan U-23 national team and managed at 2004 Summer Olympics. In November 2004, he returned to Júbilo Iwata and became a manager. He resigned in June 2006.

Statistics

^[1]

Club statistics			League
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals
Japan			League
1981	Yamaha Motors	JSL Division 1	18	1
1982		JSL Division 2	16	0
1983		JSL Division 1	18	1
1984			18	0
1985–86			22	0
1986–87			17	1
Country	Japan		109	3
Total			109	3