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France 24
a day ago
- Sport
- France 24
Tributes to legendary Japan striker hailed by Pele
Kamamoto, who scored 75 goals in 76 appearances for Japan, died on Sunday of pneumonia. "Mr. Kamamoto was truly an unparalleled striker," Japan Football Association president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto said in a statement. The Kyoto native is best remembered for his exploits at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico, where he was the top scorer with seven goals and led Japan to the bronze medal. With stamina, agility and physical strength, Kamamoto was first called up to the national squad aged 19. In 1967 he joined Yanmar Diesel, now Cerezo Osaka, plundering 202 goals in 251 games until his retirement in 1984. During the final years of his playing career he also worked as Yanmar's manager. After football Kamamoto shifted to politics, becoming an upper house lawmaker in 1995. He also worked on Japan's bid to host the 2002 World Cup, which was co-hosted with South Korea. Current Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said Kamamoto "gave us a ray of hope that Japanese football can compete on the international stage", according to Kyodo News. "I'm hoping for a player who could eventually eclipse Mr. Kamamoto to emerge," he added. Kazuyoshi Miura, the former Japan international forward who is still playing aged 58, said Brazilian legend Pele had called Kamamoto "a great striker". Pele played in Kamamoto's retirement match, Kyodo said. "When I heard King Pele call him a 'great striker,' I was really proud as a Japanese, and I can still remember that now," said Miura, who is second in Japan's list of all-time scorers.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Tributes to legendary Japan striker hailed by Pele
TOKYO: Japanese football has paid tribute to Kunishige Kamamoto after the country's most prolific striker died aged 81. Kamamoto, who scored 75 goals in 76 appearances for Japan, died on Sunday of pneumonia. "Mr. Kamamoto was truly an unparalleled striker," Japan Football Association president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto said in a statement. The Kyoto native is best remembered for his exploits at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico, where he was the top scorer with seven goals and led Japan to the bronze medal. With stamina, agility and physical strength, Kamamoto was first called up to the national squad aged 19. In 1967 he joined Yanmar Diesel, now Cerezo Osaka, plundering 202 goals in 251 games until his retirement in 1984. During the final years of his playing career he also worked as Yanmar's manager. After football Kamamoto shifted to politics, becoming an upper house lawmaker in 1995. He also worked on Japan's bid to host the 2002 World Cup, which was co-hosted with South Korea. Current Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said Kamamoto "gave us a ray of hope that Japanese football can compete on the international stage", according to Kyodo News. "I'm hoping for a player who could eventually eclipse Mr. Kamamoto to emerge," he added. Kazuyoshi Miura, the former Japan international forward who is still playing aged 58, said Brazilian legend Pele had called Kamamoto "a great striker." Pele played in Kamamoto's retirement match, Kyodo said.
The Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Tributes to legendary Japan striker hailed by Pele
TOKYO: Japanese football has paid tribute to Kunishige Kamamoto after the country's most prolific striker died aged 81. Kamamoto, who scored 75 goals in 76 appearances for Japan, died on Sunday of pneumonia. 'Mr. Kamamoto was truly an unparalleled striker,' Japan Football Association president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto said in a statement. The Kyoto native is best remembered for his exploits at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico, where he was the top scorer with seven goals and led Japan to the bronze medal. With stamina, agility and physical strength, Kamamoto was first called up to the national squad aged 19. In 1967 he joined Yanmar Diesel, now Cerezo Osaka, plundering 202 goals in 251 games until his retirement in 1984. During the final years of his playing career he also worked as Yanmar's manager. After football Kamamoto shifted to politics, becoming an upper house lawmaker in 1995. He also worked on Japan's bid to host the 2002 World Cup, which was co-hosted with South Korea. Current Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said Kamamoto 'gave us a ray of hope that Japanese football can compete on the international stage', according to Kyodo News. 'I'm hoping for a player who could eventually eclipse Mr. Kamamoto to emerge,' he added. Kazuyoshi Miura, the former Japan international forward who is still playing aged 58, said Brazilian legend Pele had called Kamamoto 'a great striker'. Pele played in Kamamoto's retirement match, Kyodo said. 'When I heard King Pele call him a 'great striker,' I was really proud as a Japanese, and I can still remember that now,' said Miura, who is second in Japan's list of all-time scorers - AFP
Japan Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- Japan Today
Kunishige Kamamoto, Japan's top national soccer team scorer, dies at 81
FILE - Japan's Kunishige Kamamoto scores a goal against the Mexican team at Mexico's Azteca Stadium on Oct. 24, 1968. (AP Photo, file) soccer Kunishige Kamamoto, who scored 75 goals in 76 games for Japan's national team, died Sunday according to the Japan Football Association. He was 81 and the association said he died of pneumonia. His 75 goals remains tops for the national team. He played on the national team from 1964 until 1977. Kamamoto led Japan to a bronze medal in soccer at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico and scored seven goals to lead the tournament. He also served as a member of Japan's House of Councillors, the upper house of Japan's national legislature, and also served as a vice president of the Japan Football Association. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
News18
2 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Kunishige Kamamoto, Japans top national soccer team scorer, dies at 81
Tokyo, Aug 10 (AP) Kunishige Kamamoto, who scored 75 goals in 76 games for Japan's national team, died Sunday according to the Japan Football Association. He was 81 and the association said he died of pneumonia. His 75 goals remains tops for the national team. He played on the national team from 1964 until 1977. Kamamoto led Japan to a bronze medal in soccer at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico and scored seven goals to lead the tournament. He also served as a member of Japan's House of Councillors, the upper house of Japan's national legislature, and also served as a vice president of the Japan Football Association. (AP) AM AM AM First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
