Minoru Kobata

Minoru Kobata
Personal information
Full name	Minoru Kobata
Date of birth	November 24, 1946 (age 77)
Place of birth	Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
1962–1964	Johoku High School
1965–1968	Meiji University
Senior career*
Years	Team
1969–1975	Hitachi
Total
National team
1970–1973	Japan
Honours
Hitachi
	* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Minoru Kobata (小畑穣, Kobata Minoru, born November 24, 1946) is a former Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.

Biography

Kobata was born in Saitama on November 24, 1946. After graduating from Meiji University, he joined Hitachi in 1969. In 1972, the club won Japan Soccer League and Emperor's Cup. The club also won 1975 Emperor's Cup. He retired in 1975. He played 99 games and scored 22 goals in the league. He was selected Best Eleven in 1970.

On July 31, 1970, Kobata debuted for the Japan national team against Hong Kong. In December, he was selected Japan for 1970 Asian Games. He also played at 1974 World Cup qualification in 1973. He played 13 games for Japan until 1973.