Ryuzo Hiraki Explained

Ryuzo Hiraki
平木 隆三
Fullname:Ryuzo Hiraki
Birth Date:7 October 1931
Birth Place:Sakai, Osaka, Empire of Japan
Death Place:Toyota, Aichi, Japan
Position:Defender
Youthyears1:1948–1950
Youthclubs1:Kishiwada High School
Youthyears2:1951–1956
Youthclubs2:Kwansei Gakuin University
Years1:1957
Clubs1:Yuasa Batteries
Years2:1958–1966
Clubs2:Furukawa Electric
Caps2:6
Goals2:0
Totalcaps:6
Totalgoals:0
Nationalyears1:1954–1962
Nationalteam1:Japan
Nationalcaps1:30
Nationalgoals1:1
Manageryears1:1962–1965
Managerclubs1:Furukawa Electric
Manageryears2:1965
Managerclubs2:Japan U-20
Manageryears3:1967–1969
Managerclubs3:Japan U-20
Manageryears4:1992–1993
Managerclubs4:Nagoya Grampus Eight

was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.[1]

Club career

Hiraki was born in Sakai on October 7, 1931. After graduating from Kwansei Gakuin University, he joined Yuasa Batteries in 1957. In 1958, he moved to Furukawa Electric. Furukawa Electric won 1960, 1961 and 1964 Emperor's Cup. In 1965, Furukawa Electric joined new league Japan Soccer League. He played 6 games in the league. He retired in 1966.

National team career

In March 1954, when Hiraki was a Kwansei Gakuin University student, he was selected Japan national team for 1954 World Cup qualification. At this qualification, on March 14, he debuted against South Korea. In 1956, he was selected Japan for 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. He also played at 1954, 1958 and 1962 Asian Games. In 1964, he was selected Japan as captain for 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. However, he could not play for injury. After 1964 Summer Olympics, he retired from national team. He played 30 games and scored 1 goal for Japan until 1962.[2]

Coaching career

In 1962, when Hiraki played for Furukawa Electric, he became a playing manager as Ken Naganuma successor for the club and managed until 1965. He also served a coach for Japan national team and a manager for Japan U-20 national team. In 1968, he participated as a coach in 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City and Japan team won Bronze Medal. In 2018, this team was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame. In 1992, he signed with Nagoya Grampus Eight joined new league J.League and he managed until 1993.

In 2005, Hiraki was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame. On January 2, 2009, he died of pneumonia in Toyota at the age of 77.

Club statistics

Club performanceLeague
SeasonClubLeagueApps Goals
JapanLeague
1965Furukawa ElectricJSL Division 160
196600
Total60

National team statistics

[2]

Japan national team
YearAppsGoals
195430
195540
195630
195700
195840
1959101
196010
196120
196230
Total301

Managerial statistics

[3]

Honours

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ryuzo Hiraki . Olympedia . 2 December 2021.
  2. http://www.jfootball-db.com/en/players/hiraki_ryuzo.html Japan National Football Team Database
  3. https://data.j-league.or.jp/SFIX07/?staff_id=77 J.League Data Site
  4. Web site: HIRAKI Ryuzo. April 11, 2024. Japan Football Association.