1. Overview
Akira Ando is a former Japanese professional footballer who played primarily as a midfielder. Born on June 28, 1995, in Usuki, Ōita, Ando's career spanned various clubs in Japan's J-League system, including Shonan Bellmare, Fukushima United FC, Zweigen Kanazawa, Matsumoto Yamaga FC, and Mito HollyHock. He also represented Japan at the youth national team level. Ando announced his retirement from professional football on January 16, 2024, transitioning to a post-career role in the lacquerware industry.
2. Early Life and Education
Akira Ando's formative years were marked by his early introduction to football and a significant relocation during his academy training due to environmental factors.
2.1. Childhood and Start of Football
Ando was born on June 28, 1995, in Usuki, Ōita Prefecture, Japan. His football journey began at a young age, as he started playing the sport in the first grade of elementary school. During his elementary school years, he played for the Ichihama Red Sox.
2.2. JFA Academy Fukushima and Relocation
In 2008, Ando joined the JFA Academy Fukushima as a third-generation student. The academy was known for nurturing young talent, and his classmates included future professional footballers such as Shota Kaneko, Shohei Hiraoka, and Ryuta Koike. During his time at the academy, he attended Hirono Junior High School.
A significant event that impacted his training environment occurred in March 2011, following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. The J-Village training facility, which served as a key base for the academy, was repurposed as a response hub for the disaster. Consequently, the JFA Academy Fukushima's operations were relocated to Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture. Ando continued his education at Fukushima Prefectural Tomioka High School, which also relocated to Shizuoka Prefectural Mishima Choryo High School, adapting to the new training and living conditions.
3. Club Career
Akira Ando's professional club career involved several transfers and loan spells across different divisions of the J-League, primarily as a midfielder.
3.1. Early Career and Loan Spells
Ando officially joined Shonan Bellmare in 2014. Immediately after signing, he was loaned out to Fukushima United FC, where he spent two seasons, playing in the J3 League from 2014 to 2015. Following his time at Fukushima United, he moved to Zweigen Kanazawa on loan for the 2016 season, competing in the J2 League. In 2017, he returned to Shonan Bellmare, marking his first opportunity to play for the club after three seasons on loan. However, his appearances for Shonan Bellmare were limited to three official matches across all competitions.
3.2. Matsumoto Yamaga FC and Mito HollyHock Loan
In 2018, Ando made a permanent transfer to Matsumoto Yamaga FC. He played for Matsumoto Yamaga for several seasons. During his tenure with the club, he was loaned to Mito HollyHock for the entire 2020 season. After completing his loan spell, he returned to Matsumoto Yamaga FC at the end of 2020, continuing to play for them until 2023.
3.3. Career Statistics
Akira Ando's professional career statistics are detailed below, encompassing his appearances and goals across various competitions for each club. His J.League debut occurred on March 9, 2014, in a J3 League match against AC Nagano Parceiro at Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka. He scored his first J.League goal on May 4, 2014, in a J3 League match against FC Ryukyu at Okinawa City Athletics Stadium.
| 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 | |||||||
| 2014 | Fukushima United FC | J3 League | 31 | 2 | 1 | 0 | - | 32 | 2 | ||
| 2015 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | 28 | 1 | ||||
| 2016 | Zweigen Kanazawa | J2 League | 19 | 1 | 2 | 0 | - | 21 | 1 | ||
| 2017 | Shonan Bellmare | J2 League | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2018 | Matsumoto Yamaga FC | J2 League | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2019 | Matsumoto Yamaga FC | J1 League | 8 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 0 | |
| 2020 | Mito HollyHock | J2 League | 27 | 0 | - | - | 27 | 0 | |||
| 2021 | Matsumoto Yamaga FC | J2 League | 14 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | ||
| 2022 | Matsumoto Yamaga FC | J3 League | 13 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | ||
| 2023 | Matsumoto Yamaga FC | J3 League | 10 | 0 | - | - | 10 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 152 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 163 | 4 | |||
Additional official matches include one appearance in the 2016 J2/J3 Play-off.
4. National Team Career
Akira Ando represented Japan at various youth levels, participating in several age-group tournaments and championships.
4.1. Age-Group Team Appearances
Ando was a member of the Japan U-16 national team in 2011. He later progressed to represent the Japan U-18 and U-19 national teams from 2013 to 2014. During his time with the U-19 squad, he participated in the 2014 AFF U-19 Youth Championship.
5. Playing Style
Akira Ando's playing style was characterized by his role in the midfield and his preferred foot.
5.1. Position and Preferred Foot
Ando primarily played as a midfielder. He is a right-footed player. He stands at 68 in (173 cm) tall and weighs 154 lb (70 kg).
6. Awards and Titles
Throughout his career, Akira Ando achieved several team titles with his clubs and the national youth team.
6.1. Club Titles
- JFA Academy Fukushima
- U-15 Fukushima Prefectural Football League: 2008
- Tohoku U-15 Michinoku League South Tohoku: 2009
- Prince League Tohoku 2nd Division: 2011
- Prince League Tohoku 1st Division: 2012
- Shonan Bellmare
- J2 League: 2017
- Matsumoto Yamaga FC
- J2 League: 2018
6.2. National Team Titles
- U-19 Japan National Team
- 2014 AFF U-19 Youth Championship: 2014
7. Later Career and Retirement
The final stages of Akira Ando's playing career were marked by an injury that impacted his playing time, leading to his eventual retirement and transition into a new professional field.
7.1. Injuries
On May 30, 2021, while playing for Matsumoto Yamaga FC, Akira Ando sustained a left gastrocnemius muscle strain during a match against Fagiano Okayama FC. The injury was diagnosed with an estimated recovery period of six to eight weeks, impacting his availability for the team.
7.2. Retirement and Post-Career
Akira Ando officially announced his retirement from professional football on January 16, 2024. Following his departure from the sport, he transitioned into a new career path, taking up employment at Nakamura Lacquerware Industry, a company based in Matsumoto City.