Whatever Happened to … the Japan 1998 World Cup Squad

Alan Gibson — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 02:33:40 +0000

1 GK Nobuyuki Kojima 17 January 1966 (aged 32) 5 Japan Bellmare Hiratsuka
Currently seen on Japanese TV commentating – from the studio, usually – on national team matches.

2 DF Akira Narahashi 26 November 1971 (aged 26) 29 Japan Kashima Antlers

3 DF Naoki Soma 19 July 1971 (aged 26) 50 Japan Kashima Antlers
Currently manager of Machida Zelvia.

4 DF Masami Ihara (Captain) 18 September 1967 (aged 30) 116 Japan Yokohama Marinos
Currently manager of Avispa Fukuoka.

5 DF Norio Omura 6 September 1969 (aged 28) 31 Japan Yokohama Marinos

6 MF Motohiro Yamaguchi 29 January 1969 (aged 29) 56 Japan Yokohama Marinos
Currently seen on Japanese TV commentating – from the studio, usually – on national team and J.League matches. Former manager of Yokohama FC.

7 MF Teruyoshi Ito 31 August 1974 (aged 23) 2 Japan Shimizu S-Pulse

8 MF Hidetoshi Nakata 22 January 1977 (aged 21) 21 Japan Bellmare Hiratsuka
Retired from the game at the top, after excelling in the game in Italy and England. Pops up now and again with various charity matches, or on TV in an interview from an exotic location.

9 FW Masashi Nakayama 23 September 1967 (aged 30) 27 Japan Jubilo Iwata
Currently seen on Japanese TV commentating – from the studio, usually – on national team and J.League matches.

10 MF Hiroshi Nanami 28 November 1972 (aged 25) 44 Japan Jubilo Iwata
Currently manager of Jubilo Iwata.

11 MF Shinji Ono 27 September 1979 (aged 18) 2 Japan Urawa Red Diamonds
Still playing in J2 at Consadole Sapporo.

12 FW Wagner Lopes 29 January 1969 (aged 29) 10 Japan Bellmare Hiratsuka
Managing/coaching in Brazil. Popped up with an ill-fated stint as Gamba Osaka manager, when working visa issues prevented him from actually doing the job he’d been signed on for.

13 MF Toshihiro Hattori 23 September 1973 (aged 24) 6 Japan Jubilo Iwata

14 FW Masayuki Okano 25 July 1972 (aged 25) 25 Japan Urawa Red Diamonds
General Manager at Gainare Tottori.

15 MF Hiroaki Morishima 30 April 1972 (aged 26) 36 Japan Cerezo Osaka
Mr. Cerezo Osaka – an “ambassador” role at the club.

16 DF Toshihide Saito 20 April 1973 (aged 25) 14 Japan Shimizu S-Pulse
Managed (and played for) Fujieda MYFC.

17 DF Yutaka Akita 6 August 1970 (aged 27) 27 Japan Kashima Antlers
Managed Kyoto Sanga, currently seen on Japanese TV commentating – from the studio, usually – on J.League matches.

18 FW Shoji Jo 17 June 1975 (aged 22) 24 Japan Yokohama Marinos
Currently seen on Japanese TV commentating – from the studio and live – on national team matches.

19 DF Eisuke Nakanishi 23 June 1973 (aged 24) 7 Japan JEF United Ichihara

20 GK Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi 15 August 1975 (aged 22) 27 Japan Yokohama Marinos
Still playing in J2 at FC Gifu.

21 GK Seigo Narazaki 15 April 1976 (aged 22) 2 Japan Yokohama Marinos
Still playing in J1 at Nagoya Grampus

22 MF Takashi Hirano 15 July 1974 (aged 23) 10 Japan Nagoya Grampus Eight
Host of J

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Whatever Happened to … the Japan 1998 World Cup Squad