Akira Matsunaga (footballer, born 1948)

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

Akira Matsunaga

Personal information
Full name	Akira Matsunaga
Date of birth	(1948-08-08) August 8, 1948
Place of birth	Shizuoka, Japan
Height	1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Playing position	Forward
Youth career
1964–1966	Fujieda Higashi High School
1967–1970	Waseda University
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1971–1982	Hitachi	176	(82)
Total		176	(82)
National team
1973–1976	Japan	10	(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Biography

Matsunaga was born in Shizuoka Prefecture on August 8, 1948. After graduating from Waseda University, he joined Japan Soccer League club Hitachi in 1971. In 1972, the club won the champions in Japan Soccer League and Emperor's Cup. The club also won 1975 Emperor's Cup and 1976 JSL Cup. He scored many goals in early 1970s and competed with Kunishige Kamamoto for top scorer. Matsunaga retired in 1982. He played 176 games and scored 82 goals in the league and became a top scorer in 1972 and 1973. He was also selected Best Eleven for 4 years in a row (1972-1975).

In May 1973, Matsunaga was selected the Japan national team for 1974 World Cup qualification. At this qualification, on May 22, he debuted against Hong Kong. He also played at 1976 Summer Olympics qualification. This qualification was his last game for Japan. He played 10 games and scored 2 goals for Japan until 1976.

Statistics

Club performance			League
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals
Japan			League
1971	Hitachi	JSL Division 1	11	4
1972			14	12
1973			18	11
1974			18	17
1975			18	15
1976			5	0
1977			15	4
1978			18	7
1979			18	2
1980			17	4
1981			16	4
1982			8	2
Country	Japan		176	82
Total			176	82

Japan national team
Year	Apps	Goals
1973	3	0
1974	0	0
1975	0	0
1976	7	2
Total	10	2