Toshio Iwatani (岩谷 俊夫, Iwatani Toshio, October 24, 1925 – March 1, 1970) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.

Toshio Iwatani
岩谷 俊夫
Personal information
Full name Toshio Iwatani
Date of birth (1925-10-24)October 24, 1925
Place of birth Kobe, Hyogo, Empire of Japan
Date of death March 1, 1970(1970-03-01) (aged 44)
Place of death Chuo, Tokyo, Japan
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
Kobe Daiichi High School
1943–1947 Waseda University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Osaka SC
International career
1951–1956 Japan 8 (4)
Medal record
Representing  Japan
Asian Games
Bronze medal – third place 1951 New Delhi Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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Iwatani was born in Kobe on October 24, 1925. After graduating from Waseda University, he played for Osaka SC. Osaka SC won second place at the Emperor's Cup three times, in 1951, 1952, and in 1953.

National team career

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In March 1951, Iwatani was selected by the Japan national team for its first game after World War II, the 1951 Asian Games. He debuted at this competition on March 7 against Iran. On March 9, he scored two goals against Afghanistan during the match for third place and Japan won 2-0. He also played in the 1954 Asian Games. He played as captain in June 1956 at the 1956 Summer Olympics qualification against South Korea. Japan finished with one win and one defeat. After the qualifiers, the team drew lots for captain, and he was selected. The team won the qualification for the 1956 Summer Olympics. However, in November, he was not selected by the Japan team for the Olympics. He played eight games and scored four goals for Japan until 1956.[1]

On March 1, 1970, Iwatani died of a brain tumor in Chuo, Tokyo at the age of 44. In 2006, he was inducted into the Japan Football Hall of Fame.

National team statistics

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[1]

Japan national team
Year Apps Goals
1951 3 2
1952 0 0
1953 0 0
1954 2 2
1955 2 0
1956 1 0
Total 8 4

Honours

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Japan

References

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  1. ^ a b Japan National Football Team Database
  2. ^ "IWATANI Toshio". Japan Football Association. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
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