Langbahn Team – Weltmeisterschaft

Hiroshi Ochiai

Hiroshi Ochiai
落合 弘
Personal information
Full name Hiroshi Ochiai
Date of birth (1946-02-28) 28 February 1946 (age 78)
Place of birth Saitama, Saitama, Empire of Japan
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 9+12 in)
Position(s) Defender, Midfielder
Youth career
1961–1963 Urawa High School
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1964–1965 Toshiba
1966–1984 Mitsubishi Motors 267 (56)
Total 267 (56)
International career
1974–1980 Japan 63 (9)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Hiroshi Ochiai (落合 弘, Ochiai Hiroshi, born 28 February 1946) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.

Club career

Ochiai was born in Saitama on 28 February 1946. After graduating from high school, he joined Toshiba in 1964. He played at offensive position. In 1966, he moved to his local club Mitsubishi Motors played in Japan Soccer League (JSL). He played in all 260 matches in the league until 1981. In 1969, he became a top scorer and the club won the champions at JSL first time. In the 1970s he was converted to defensive position. In 1973, the club won JSL and Emperor's Cup. In 1978, the club won all three major title in Japan; JSL, JSL Cup, Emperor's Cup and he was selected Japanese Footballer of the Year awards. He retired in 1984. He played 267 games and scored 56 goals in the league. This 267 games is the second record in JSL after Yoshikazu Nagai (272 games). He was selected Best Eleven 10 times included for 9 years in a row (1973-1981). The club won the league champions 2 times, JSL Cup 2 times and Emperor's Cup 4 times.

National team career

In September 1974, Ochiai was selected Japan national team for 1974 Asian Games. At this competition, on 7 September, he debuted against Israel. After his debut, he played in most games included 1976 Summer Olympics qualification, 1978 World Cup qualification and 1978 Asian Games. In 1980, 1980 Summer Olympics qualification was his last game for Japan. He played 63 games and scored 9 goals for Japan until 1980.[1]

Coaching career

After retirement, in 1988, Ochiai became coach for Japan national team under manager Kenzo Yokoyama was team mate at Mitsubishi Motors. In 1992, Ochiai became a coach for Urawa Reds (former Mitsubishi Motors) under manager Takaji Mori.

In 2010, Ochiai was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame.

Club statistics

Club performance League
Season Club League Apps Goals
Japan League
1966 Mitsubishi Motors JSL Division 1 14 6
1967 14 13
1968 14 5
1969 14 12
1970 14 2
1971 14 4
1972 14 1
1973 18 2
1974 18 2
1975 18 3
1976 18 1
1977 18 1
1978 18 1
1979 18 2
1980 18 1
1981 18 0
1982 5 0
1983 2 0
1984 0 0
Total 267 56

National team statistics

[1]

Japan national team
Year Apps Goals
1974 2 0
1975 13 3
1976 15 2
1977 5 0
1978 14 3
1979 9 1
1980 5 0
Total 63 9

Personal honors

References

  1. ^ a b Japan National Football Team Database
  2. ^ "OCHIAI Hiroshi". Japan Football Association. Retrieved 19 March 2024.