Motohiro Yamaguchi

Motohiro Yamaguchi
Personal information
Full name	Motohiro Yamaguchi
Date of birth	January 29, 1969 (age 55)
Place of birth	Takasaki, Gunma, Japan
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
1984–1986	Maebashi Ikuei High School
1987–1990	Tokai University
Senior career*
Years	Team
1991–1998	Yokohama Flügels
1999–2002	Nagoya Grampus Eight
2003–2005	Albirex Niigata
2005–2007	Yokohama FC
Total
National team
1995–1998	Japan
Teams managed
2012–2014	Yokohama FC
Honours
Yokohama Flügels
Nagoya Grampus Eight
	* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Motohiro Yamaguchi (山口素弘, Yamaguchi Motohiro, born January 29, 1969) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for the Japan national team.

Biography

Yamaguchi was born in Takasaki on January 29, 1969. After graduating from Tokai University, he joined All Nippon Airways (later Yokohama Flügels) in 1991. The club won 1993 Emperor's Cup their first time in major title. In Asia, the club also won 1994–95 Asian Cup Winners' Cup. In 1998, the club won Emperor's Cup. However the club was disbanded end of 1998 season due to financial strain, he moved to Nagoya Grampus Eight with teammate Seigo Narazaki in 1999. The club won 1999 Emperor's Cup. He moved to J2 League club Albirex Niigata in 2003. The club won the champions in 2003 and was promoted to J1 League. In August 2005, he moved to J2 League club Yokohama FC which was founded by Yokohama Flügels supporters. The club won the champions in 2006 and was promoted to J1 League. He retired end of 2007 season. He also served as captain in all teams.

In January 1995, Yamagugchi was selected the Japan national team for 1995 King Fahd Cup. At this competition, on January 6, he debuted against Nigeria. After debut, he became a regular player and he played most matches for Japan until 1998 World Cup. In 1996, he played full time in all matches at 1996 Asian Cup. At 1998 World Cup qualification in 1997, he played all matches and Japan won the qualify for 1998 World Cup first time Japan's history. At 1998 World Cup, he played full time in all 3 matches. This World Cup was his last game for Japan. He played 58 games and scored 4 goals for Japan until 1998.

After the retirement, Yamaguchi became a manager for Yokohama FC as Yasuyuki Kishino successor in March 2012. He managed the club until 2014

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club	Season	League			Emperor's Cup		J.League Cup		Total
Club	Season	Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Yokohama Flügels^[a]	1990–91	JSL Division 1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	1991–92	JSL Division 1	22	1			1	1	23	2
	1992	J1 League	–				6	0	6	0
	1993		35	3	4	0	6	1	45	4
	1994		34	2	2	0	1	0	37	2
	1995		41	3	1	0	–		42	3
	1996		28	8	1	0	14	5	43	13
	1997		19	6	5	1	1	0	25	7
	1998		34	7	5	0	0	0	39	7
Nagoya Grampus Eight	1999	J1 League	29	2	5	0	6	0	40	2
	2000		28	1	2	0	6	1	36	2
	2001		28	1	0	0	6	0	34	1
	2002		25	2	0	0	6	0	31	2
Albirex Niigata	2003	J2 League	42	4	3	0	–		45	4
	2004	J1 League	29	2	0	0	5	0	34	2
	2005	J1 League	12	0	0	0	3	0	15	0
Yokohama FC	2005	J2 League	18	0	2	0	–		20	0
	2006	J2 League	46	0	0	0	–		46	0
	2007	J1 League	20	0	2	0	3	0	25	0
Career total			490	42	32	1	64	8	586	51

↑ "All Nippon Airways" until 1992

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year^[1]
National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Japan	1995	14	1
	1996	13	2
	1997	22	1
	1998	9	0
Total		58	4

Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Yamaguchi goal.

List of international goals scored by Motohiro Yamaguchi
No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	26 February 1995	Hong Kong, United Kingdom	South Korea	2–1	2–2	1995 Dynasty Cup
2	10 February 1996	Wollongong, Australia	Australia	1–0	4–1	Friendly
3	19 February 1996	Hong Kong, UK	Poland	1–0	5–0	1996 Lunar New Year Cup
4	28 September 1997	Tokyo, Japan	South Korea	1–0	1–2	1998 FIFA World Cup qualification