Masami Ihara

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

Masami Ihara

Personal information
Full name	Masami Ihara
Date of birth	(1967-09-18) September 18, 1967
Place of birth	Koka, Shiga, Japan
Height	1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Defender
Youth career
1983–1985	Moriyama High School
1986–1989	University of Tsukuba
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1990–1999	Yokohama F. Marinos	267	(5)
2000	Júbilo Iwata	20	(1)
2001–2002	Urawa Reds	54	(1)
Total		341	(7)
National team
1988–1999	Japan	122	(5)
Teams managed
2009	Kashiwa Reysol
2015–2018	Avispa Fukuoka
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Biography

Ihara was born in Koka on September 18, 1967. After graduating from University of Tsukuba, he joined Japan Soccer League club Nissan Motors (later Yokohama Marinos, Yokohama F. Marinos) in 1990. The club won the 2nd place in 1990/91 and 1991/92 season. He was also selected Best Eleven in 1991/92. In 1992, Japan Soccer League was folded and the club joined new league J1 League. The club won the champions in 1995 season. He was selected Best Eleven for 5 years in a row (1993-1997). He played 267 matches for the club until 1999. Toward the end of his career, he played for Júbilo Iwata (2000) and Urawa Reds (2001-2002).

On January 27, 1988, when Ihara was a University of Tsukuba student, he debuted for the Japan national team against United Arab Emirates. After debut, he became a regular player and he played at 1990 World Cup qualification and 1990 Asian Games. In 1992, Japan won Asian Cup first time. However, at 1994 World Cup qualification, Japan failed to won for qualify to 1994 World Cup. After that, Ihara became a captain for Japan and played at 1995 King Fahd Cup and 1996 Asian Cup. In 1997, at 1998 World Cup qualification, Japan won for qualify 1998 World Cup first time. During the 1998 World Cup in France, the veteran sweeper's experience was crucial to Japan's survival in their very first World Cup appearance, forming a flat back three defence with strong centre-back Yutaka Akita as well as speedy fullbacks Eisuke Nakanishi (or strong centre-back Norio Omura). Young Marinos goalkeeper, Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi was Japan's first choice goalkeeper at the time. After 1998 World Cup, he played at 1999 Copa América. This competition was his last game for Japan. He played 122 games and scored 5 goals for Japan until 1999.

In 2006, Ihara became an assistant coach for the Japan U-23 national team and spent two years. In 2009, he became an assistant coach for club Kashiwa Reysol and coached until end of 2014 season. He also managed the club as caretaker in July 2009. In 2015, he signed with J2 League club Avispa Fukuoka and became a manager. In 2015, Avispa won the 3rd place and was promoted to J1 League. However the club was relegated to J2 in a year. He resigned end of 2018 season.

Statistics

Club performance			League		Cup		League Cup		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Japan			League		Emperor's Cup		J. League Cup		Total
1990/91	Nissan Motors	JSL Division 1	22	2			4	0	26	2
1991/92			22	0			3	0	25	0
1992	Yokohama Marinos	J1 League	-		5	0	8	0	13	0
1993			32	0	1	0	0	0	33	0
1994			41	1	4	0	2	0	47	1
1995			47	1	2	0	-		49	1
1996			29	1	1	0	13	0	43	1
1997			22	0	2	0	0	0	24	0
1998			27	0	1	0	0	0	28	0
1999	Yokohama F. Marinos	J1 League	25	0	3	0	6	0	34	0
2000	Júbilo Iwata	J1 League	20	1	0	0	3	0	23	1
2001	Urawa Reds	J1 League	26	1	4	0	6	0	36	1
2002			28	0	0	0	9	1	37	1
Country	Japan		341	7	23	0	54	1	418	8
Total			341	7	23	0	54	1	418	8

Japan national team
Year	Apps	Goals
1988	5	0
1989	11	0
1990	6	0
1991	2	0
1992	11	0
1993	15	2
1994	9	1
1995	16	1
1996	13	0
1997	21	1
1998	10	0
1999	3	0
Total	122	5