Kunishige Kamamoto

Kunishige Kamamoto (釜本 邦茂, Kamamoto Kunishige, born April 15, 1944) is a former Japanese football player, manager and politician. He won the bronze medal with the Japan national team at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, finishing as the tournament's top scorer with seven goals,[2] and is the all-time leading goalscorer for Japan.[3] He served as a member of the House of Councillors between 1995 and 2001.

Kunishige Kamamoto
釜本 邦茂
Personal information
Full name Kunishige Kamamoto
Date of birth (1944-04-15) April 15, 1944
Place of birth Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 1⁄2 in)
Playing position(s) Forward
Youth career
1960–1962 Yamashiro High School
1963–1966 Waseda University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1967–1984 Yanmar Diesel 251 (202)
Total 251 (202)
National team
1964–1977 Japan 84[1] (80)
Teams managed
1978–1984 Yanmar Diesel
1991–1994 Gamba Osaka
2009 Fujieda MYFC
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Early life

Kamamoto was born in Kyoto on April 15, 1944. He grew up in Kyoto and attended Yamashiro High School. Then, he was on to Waseda University School of commerce. He became a top scorer in the Kanto university league for 4 years in a row. He also won the 1963 and the 1966 Emperor's Cup at university. This was the last time a university team won the Emperor's Cup. His major was commerce and earned a bachelor of arts degree from Waseda University in 1966.

Club career

After graduating from Waseda University, Kamamoto joined Japan Soccer League club Yanmar Diesel (currently Cerezo Osaka) in 1967. He played all games in league from first season. In 1968, he became a top scorer in the league. The club won their 1st title 1968 Emperor's Cup with his winning goal in final. The club also won 1970 Emperor's Cup. In 1971, the club won their 1st league champions and he also became a top scorer Second time. In 1974 and 1975, the club won the league for 2 years in a row and also won 1974 Emperor's Cup. In 1978, he became a playing manager. The club won the league champions in 1980. In 1982, he ruptured his Achilles tendon 2 times. In 1984, when he was 40 years old, he retired. He became a top scorer 7 times and was selected Best Eleven 14 times. He was also selected Japanese Footballer of the Year awards 7 times.

National team career

On March 3, 1964, when Kamamoto was a Waseda University student, he debuted and scored a goal for Japan national team against Singapore.[4] In October, he was selected by Japan for 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He played all matches and scored 1 goal. In 1968, he also was selected Japan for 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. Japan won Bronze Medal and he became a top scorer. He played all matches and scored 7 goals. In 2018, this team was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame. In the 1970s, after many Olympic players left national team, he continued being selected national team. He also played at 1966, 1970 and 1974 Asian Games. In 1977, he retired from national team. He played 76 games and scored 75 goals for Japan until 1977.

Coaching career

In 1978, when Kamamoto played for Yanmar Diesel, he became a playing manager. He led the club to won first league champions in 1980. The club also won 1983 and 1984 JSL Cup. In 1984, he resigned at the same time he retired from playing career. In 1991, he signed with across town to the Yanmar Diesel rivals, Matsushita Electric (later Gamba Osaka). He resigned in 1994.

Kamamoto was selected as a member of the House of Councillors in July 1995, then served until July 2001.

Kamamoto was also served the vice-president of the Japan Football Association from July 1998 to July 2008. In 2005, he was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame.

Club statistics

[5]

Club performance League Cup League Cup Total
Season Club League AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals
Japan League Emperor's Cup JSL Cup Total
1967Yanmar DieselJSL Division 1141437–1721
1968141435–1719
1969121037–1517
1970141635–1721
1971141135–1716
1972141145–1816
1973161720–1817
1974182143–2224
197517932–2011
1976181532102217
1977182044322526
1978181534342423
197918732212211
1980181020322312
1981181120002011
198281000081
198320000020
198400300030
Total 2512024851129311262

International goals
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first.
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.3 March 1964Tokyo, Japan Singapore2–1WonFriendly
2.14 March 1965Tokyo, Japan Hong Kong2–1WonFriendly
3.14 March 1965Tokyo, Japan Hong Kong2–1WonFriendly
4.22 March 1965Tokyo, Japan Burma1–1DrawFriendly
5.11 December 1966Bangkok, Thailand Iran3–1Won1966 Asian Games
6.14 December 1966Bangkok, Thailand Malaysia1–0Won1966 Asian Games
7.16 December 1966Bangkok, Thailand Singapore5–1Won1966 Asian Games
8.16 December 1966Bangkok, Thailand Singapore5–1Won1966 Asian Games
9.17 December 1966Bangkok, Thailand Thailand5–1Won1966 Asian Games
10.19 December 1966Bangkok, Thailand Singapore2–0Won1966 Asian Games
11.27 September 1967Tokyo, Japan Philippines15–0WonQualification 1968 Summer Olympics
12.27 September 1967Tokyo, Japan Philippines15–0WonQualification 1968 Summer Olympics
13.27 September 1967Tokyo, Japan Philippines15–0WonQualification 1968 Summer Olympics
14.27 September 1967Tokyo, Japan Philippines15–0WonQualification 1968 Summer Olympics
15.27 September 1967Tokyo, Japan Philippines15–0WonQualification 1968 Summer Olympics
16.27 September 1967Tokyo, Japan Philippines15–0WonQualification 1968 Summer Olympics
17.30 September 1967Tokyo, Japan Taiwan4–0WonQualification 1968 Summer Olympics
18.30 September 1967Tokyo, Japan Taiwan4–0WonQualification 1968 Summer Olympics
19.30 September 1967Tokyo, Japan Taiwan4–0WonQualification 1968 Summer Olympics
20.3 October 1967Tokyo, Japan Lebanon3–1WonQualification 1968 Summer Olympics
21.7 October 1967Tokyo, Japan South Korea3–3DrawQualification 1968 Summer Olympics
22.30 March 1968Tokyo, Japan Australia2–2DrawFriendly
23.30 March 1968Tokyo, Japan Australia2–2DrawFriendly
24.4 April 1968Tokyo, Japan Australia3–1WonFriendly
25.4 April 1968Tokyo, Japan Australia3–1WonFriendly
26.14 October 1968Puebla, Mexico Nigeria3–0Won1968 Summer Olympics
27.14 October 1968Puebla, Mexico Nigeria3–0Won1968 Summer Olympics
28.14 October 1968Puebla, Mexico Nigeria3–0Won1968 Summer Olympics
29.10 December 1970Bangkok, Thailand Malaysia1–0Won1970 Asian Games
30.16 December 1970Bangkok, Thailand Indonesia2–1Won1970 Asian Games
31.16 December 1970Bangkok, Thailand Indonesia2–1Won1970 Asian Games
32.28 July 1971Copenhagen, Denmark Denmark2–3LostFriendly
33.28 July 1971Copenhagen, Denmark Denmark2–3LostFriendly
34.27 September 1971Bangkok, Thailand Philippines8–1WonQualification 1972 Summer Olympics
35.27 September 1971Bangkok, Thailand Philippines8–1WonQualification 1972 Summer Olympics
36.27 September 1971Bangkok, Thailand Philippines8–1WonQualification 1972 Summer Olympics
37.29 September 1971Bangkok, Thailand Taiwan5–1WonQualification 1972 Summer Olympics
38.29 September 1971Bangkok, Thailand Taiwan5–1WonQualification 1972 Summer Olympics
39.29 September 1971Bangkok, Thailand Taiwan5–1WonQualification 1972 Summer Olympics
40.12 July 1972Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Khmer4–1Won1972 Merdeka Tournament
41.12 July 1972Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Khmer4–1Won1972 Merdeka Tournament
42.12 July 1972Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Khmer4–1Won1972 Merdeka Tournament
43.12 July 1972Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Khmer4–1Won1972 Merdeka Tournament
44.16 July 1972Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sri Lanka5–0Won1972 Merdeka Tournament
45.16 July 1972Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sri Lanka5–0Won1972 Merdeka Tournament
46.16 July 1972Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sri Lanka5–0Won1972 Merdeka Tournament
47.16 July 1972Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sri Lanka5–0Won1972 Merdeka Tournament
48.16 July 1972Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sri Lanka5–0Won1972 Merdeka Tournament
49.18 July 1972Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Philippines5–1Won1972 Merdeka Tournament
50.18 July 1972Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Malaysia1–3Lost1972 Merdeka Tournament
51.4 August 1972Bangkok, Thailand Philippines4–1WonPesta Sukan Tournament
52.4 August 1972Bangkok, Thailand Philippines4–1WonPesta Sukan Tournament
53.14 September 1972Tokyo, Japan South Korea2–2DrawJapan-Korea Annual Match
54.14 September 1972Tokyo, Japan South Korea2–2DrawJapan-Korea Annual Match
55.20 May 1973Seoul, Korea Republic South Vietnam4–0WonQualification 1974 FIFA World Cup
56.20 May 1973Seoul, Korea Republic South Vietnam4–0WonQualification 1974 FIFA World Cup
57.3 September 1974Tehran, Iran Philippines4–0Won1974 Asian Games
58.3 September 1974Tehran, Iran Philippines4–0Won1974 Asian Games
59.3 September 1974Tehran, Iran Philippines4–0Won1974 Asian Games
60.28 September 1974Tokyo, Japan South Korea4–1DrawJapan-Korea Annual Match
61.28 September 1974Tokyo, Japan South Korea4–1DrawJapan-Korea Annual Match
62.4 August 1975Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Bangladesh3–0WonMerdeka Tournament
63.4 August 1975Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Bangladesh3–0WonMerdeka Tournament
64.7 August 1975Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Indonesia4–1WonMerdeka Tournament
65.7 August 1975Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Indonesia4–1WonMerdeka Tournament
66.14 August 1975Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Burma2–0WonMerdeka Tournament
67.25 January 1976Tokyo, Japan Bulgaria1–3LostAsahi International Soccer Tournament
68.27 March 1976Tehran, Iran South Korea2–2DrawQualification 1976 Summer Olympics
69.27 March 1976Tehran, Iran South Korea2–2DrawQualification 1976 Summer Olympics
70.8 August 1976Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia India5–1WonMerdeka Tournament
71.10 August 1976Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Indonesia6–0WonMerdeka Tournament
72.13 August 1976Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Burma2–2WonMerdeka Tournament
73.16 August 1976Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thailand2–2WonMerdeka Tournament
74.16 August 1976Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thailand2–2WonMerdeka Tournament
75.20 August 1976Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Malaysia2–2WonMerdeka Tournament
Japan national team
YearAppsGoals
196421
196533
196676
1967511
196847
196900
197063
197168
1972815
197332
197455
197575
1976169
197740
Total7675

Managerial statistics

[6]

Team From To Record
GWDLWin %
Gamba Osaka 1993 1994 80 31 0 49 038.75
Total 80 31 0 49 038.75

Honours

Individual

References
  1. Kunishige Kamamoto - Goals in International Matches
  2. "Flashback: Kunishige Kamamoto recalls Japan's 1968 Olympic bronze medal | AFC". cms.the-afc.com. Archived from the original on 2018-01-23. Retrieved 2018-01-22.
  3. "Top 10 Japanese Athletes". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
  4. Japan National Football Team Database
  5. "Kamamoto, Kunishige". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 2011-07-17.
  6. J.League Data Site(in Japanese)
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