Ryūichi Sugiyama Explained

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

Club career

Sugiyama was born in Shizuoka. After graduating from Meiji University, he joined Japan Soccer League club Mitsubishi Motors in 1966. The club won the champion in 1969 and 1973. The club also won 1971 and 1973 Emperor's Cup. He retired in 1973. In his 8 seasons, he played all matches except one game in 1970 season. He was selected in the Best Eleven in every single one of these seasons. He was also selected Japanese Footballer of the Year 3 times (1964, 1969 and 1973).

National team career

On May 28, 1961, during Rōnin for university, Sugiyama debuted for Japan national team against Malaya. He played at 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.^[1] At 1964 Summer Olympics, he played 3 games and scored 2 goals against Argentina and Ghana. At 1968 Summer Olympics, he played 6 matches and assisted 5 goals and Japan won bronze medal. In 2018, this team was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame. He also played at 1962, 1966 and 1970 Asian Games. At 1972 Summer Olympics qualification in 1971, Japan's failure to qualify for 1972 Summer Olympics. This qualification was his last game for Japan. He played 56 games and scored 15 goals for Japan until 1971.^[2]

Coaching career

After retirement, Sugiyama became a manager for Yamaha Motors in 1974. He led the club to the Japan Soccer League Division 1. He is their longest-serving manager, having led the club from 1974 to 1987.^[3]

In 2005, Sugiyama 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	11
1967			14	8
1968			14	4
1969			14	1
1970			13	4
1971			14	4
1972			14	3
1973			18	6
Total			115	41

National team statistics

^[2]

Japan national team
Year	Apps	Goals
1961	3	0
1962	6	0
1963	5	1
1964	2	1
1965	4	3
1966	6	2
1967	5	4
1968	4	1
1969	4	0
1970	11	1
1971	6	2
Total	56	15

National team goals

	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	8 August 1963			4–3	Won	1963 Merdeka Tournament
--	14 October 1964			3–2	Won	1964 Summer Olympics
2.	16 October 1964			2–3	Lost	1964 Summer Olympics
3.	25 March 1965			1–4	Won	Friendly
4.	25 March 1965			1–4	Won	Friendly
5.	25 March 1965			1–4	Won	Friendly
6.	11 December 1966			3–1	Won	Friendly
7.	16 December 1966			5–1	Won	Friendly
8.	27 September 1967				Won	1968 Summer Olympics qual.
9.	27 September 1967				Won	1968 Summer Olympics qual.
10.	7 October 1967			3–3	Draw	1968 Summer Olympics qual.
11.	10 October 1967			1–0	Won	1968 Summer Olympics qual.
12.	4 April 1968			3–1	Won	Friendly
13.	10 August 1970			4–0	Won	1970 Merdeka Tournament
14.	13 August 1971			0–2	Won	Friendly
15.	13 August 1971			0–2	Won	Friendly
Correct as of 6 November 2016[4] Argentina U-23 match is unofficial for JFA

Awards

• Japanese Football Player of the Year: (3) 1964, 1969, 1973
• Japan Soccer League Best Eleven: (8) 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973
• Japan Soccer League Silver Ball (Assist Leader): (3) 1968, 1969, 1971
• Asian All Stars: 1967, 1968
• Japan Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2005^[5]

External links

• • • Japan National Football Team Database
• Japan Football Hall of Fame at Japan Football Association
• Japan Football Hall of Fame (Japan team at 1968 Olympics) at Japan Football Association

Notes and References

1. Web site: Sports Reference. Ryuichi Sugiyama . https://web.archive.org/web/20200417211355/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/su/ryuichi-sugiyama-1.html. dead. 2020-04-17.
2. http://www.jfootball-db.com/en/players/sugiyama_ryuichi.html Japan National Football Team Database
3. Web site: Footballjapan.jp. 杉山隆一 (Ryuichi Sugiyama). ja. 5 October 2010.
4. http://www.japannationalfootballteam.com/en/players/sugiyama_ryuichi.html SUGIYAMA Ryuichi
5. Web site: SUGIYAMA Ryuichi. March 28, 2024. Japan Football Association.