Hisashi Kato Explained

Hisashi Kato
加藤 久
Fullname:Hisashi Kato
Birth Date:24 April 1956
Birth Place:Rifu, Miyagi, Japan
Height:1.74 m
Position:Defender
Youthyears1:1972–1974
Youthclubs1:Sendai Daini High School
Collegeyears1:1975–1978
College1:Waseda University
Years1:1980–1993
Clubs1:Verdy Kawasaki
Caps1:216
Goals1:11
Years2:1993–1994
Clubs2:Shimizu S-Pulse
Caps2:20
Goals2:0
Years3:1994
Clubs3:Verdy Kawasaki
Caps3:7
Goals3:0
Totalcaps:243
Totalgoals:11
Nationalyears1:1978–1987
Nationalteam1:Japan
Nationalcaps1:61
Nationalgoals1:6
Manageryears1:1997
Managerclubs1:Verdy Kawasaki
Manageryears2:2000
Managerclubs2:Shonan Bellmare
Manageryears3:2004–2007
Managerclubs3:Kyoto Sanga FC

is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.

Club career

Kato was born in Rifu, Miyagi on April 24, 1956. After graduating from Waseda University, after a year's blank, he joined Yomiuri (later Verdy Kawasaki) in 1980. The club won the champions in Japan Soccer League 5 times, JSL Cup 2 times and Emperor's Cup 3 times. This was golden era in club history. In 1992, Japan Soccer League was folded and founded new league J1 League. The club won 1992 J.League Cup. J1 League first season in 1993, although he played in opening match, he lost opportunity to play after that. So, he moved to Shimizu S-Pulse in July. In July 1994, he returned to Verdy Kawasaki. The club won J1 League and retired end of 1994 season. He was 38 years old. He played 243 games and scored 11 goals in the league. He was selected Best Eleven 9 times.

National team career

On November 19, 1978, when Kato was a Waseda University student, he debuted for Japan national team against Soviet Union. He played at 1978 and 1982 Asian Games. From 1984, he served as captain and played at 1984 Summer Olympics qualification, 1986 World Cup qualification, 1986 Asian Games and 1988 Summer Olympics qualification. At 1988 Olympics qualification in 1987, Japan failed to qualify for 1988 Summer Olympics and he retired from national team. He played 61 games and scored 6 goals for Japan until 1987.[1]

Coaching career

After retirement, Kato became a manager for Verdy Kawasaki in 1997. But he resigned in July. In 2000, he signed with J2 League club Shonan Bellmare. However the club finished 8th place, he was sacked end of 2000 season. In 2007, he signed with J2 club Kyoto Sanga FC and became a general manager. However he sacked manager Naohiko Minobe and Kato became new manager in October. He led the club to won 3rd place in 2007 and promoted to J1 League. In July 2010, he was sacked.

In 2018, Kato was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame.

Club statistics

Club performanceLeagueCupLeague CupTotal
SeasonClubLeagueApps GoalsApps GoalsApps GoalsApps Goals
JapanLeagueEmperor's CupJ.League CupTotal
1980YomiuriJSL Division 11403120191
19811835110244
19821803000210
19831803031241
19841605100211
1985/861622041223
1986/872215000271
1987/882225010282
1988/892003131262
1989/901001010120
1990/912132020253
1991/922005000250
1992Verdy KawasakiJ1 Leaguecolspan="2"-5091141
199310001020
1993Shimizu S-PulseJ1 League1403000170
199460000060
1994Verdy KawasakiJ1 League70000070
Total2431150427432019

National team statistics

[1]

Japan national team
YearAppsGoals
197851
197900
198030
198181
198280
198371
198461
198580
198650
1987112
Total616

Managerial statistics

[2]

TeamFromToRecord
GWDLWin %
Verdy Kawasaki19971997
Shonan Bellmare20002000
Kyoto Sanga FC20072010
Total

Awards

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.jfootball-db.com/en/players/kato_hisashi.html Japan National Football Team Database
  2. https://data.j-league.or.jp/SFIX07/?staff_id=1634 J.League Data Site
  3. Web site: KATO Hisashi. February 27, 2024. Japan Football Association.