Akihiro Nishimura (footballer)

Akihiro Nishimura
西村昭宏
Personal information
Full name	Akihiro Nishimura
Date of birth	August 8, 1958 (age 66)
Place of birth	Osaka, Japan
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
1974–1976	Hokuyo High School
College career
Years	Team
1977–1980	Osaka University H&SS
Senior career*
Years	Team
1981–1991	Yammer Diesel
Total
International career
1980–1988	Japan
Managerial career
1999–2001	Japan U-20
2001–2003	Cerezo Osaka
2004	Kyoto Purple Sanga
2014–2016	Kochi United SC
Medal record
Yanmar Diesel
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Akihiro Nishimura (西村昭宏, Nishimura Akihiro, born August 8, 1958) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.

Club career

Nishimura was born in Osaka Prefecture on August 8, 1958. After graduating from Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences, he joined his local club Yammer Diesel in 1981. The club won 1983 and 1984 JSL Cup. He retired in 1991. He played 148 games and scored 3 goals in the league. He was selected Best Eleven in 1982.

National team career

On June 18, 1980, when Nishimura was an Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences student, he debuted for Japan national team against Hong Kong. He played at 1984 Summer Olympics qualification, 1986 World Cup qualification, 1982 Asian Games and 1988 Summer Olympics qualification. He played 49 games and scored 2 goals for Japan until 1988.^[1]

Coaching career

After retirement, Nishimura started coaching career at Matsushita Electric (later Gamba Osaka) in 1991. In 1999, he became a manager for Japan U-20 national team. He managed U-20 Japan at the 2001 World Youth Championship in Argentina. In September 2001, he signed with Cerezo Osaka and became coach. In December, he became a manager as João Carlos successor and he led the club to won the 2nd place in Emperor's Cup. In October 2003, he was sacked. In 2004, he signed with Kyoto Purple Sanga. He was sacked in June.

Club statistics

Club performance			League		Cup		League Cup		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Japan			League		Emperor's Cup		JSL Cup		Total
1981	Yanmar Diesel	JSL Division 1	18	0					18	0
1982			14	1					14	1
1983			12	0					12	0
1984			17	0					17	0
1985/86			21	1					21	1
1986/87			21	0					21	0
1987/88			5	0					5	0
1988/89			10	0					10	0
1989/90			15	1			0	0	15	1
1990/91			15	0			2	0	17	0
Total			148	3	0	0	2	0	150	3