JapaneseFootballerGoalkeeperProfessional

Hiroki Mizuhara

Hiroki Mizuhara is a former Japanese goalkeeper who played for several Japanese clubs from 1993 to 2013, noted for high school success and club promotions.

1. Overview

Hiroki Mizuhara (水原 大樹Mizuhara HirokiJapanese, born January 15, 1975) is a former Japanese goalkeeper who played for several clubs in Japan, including Nagoya Grampus Eight, Honda FC, Yokohama FC, Tokyo Verdy, Giravanz Kitakyushu, Kamatamare Sanuki, and Veertien Mie. His career spanned from 1993 to 2013, marked by significant achievements in high school football, securing regular goalkeeper positions in lower leagues, and contributing to club promotions to the J2 League.

2. Early Life and Background

Hiroki Mizuhara's early life was rooted in Nara Prefecture, where he began his football journey before achieving national recognition in high school.

2.1. Childhood and Education

Mizuhara was born on January 15, 1975, in Heguri, Ikoma District, Nara Prefecture, Japan. He started his youth football career with Heguri Higashi FC and continued playing during his time at Heguri Town Junior High School from 1987 to 1989. For his high school education, he attended Yokkaichi Chuo Kogyo High School from 1990 to 1992. During his high school years, he achieved notable success, including winning the National High School Soccer Championship in 1991. In 1992, his team reached the Best 8 in the same championship, and he was selected for the Japan High School Selection team. He was one year junior to the famous "Yonkō Sanbagarasu" (四中工三羽烏Three Crows of YonkōJapanese), a trio of talented players from Yokkaichi Chuo Kogyo High School, which included Eisuke Nakanishi, Takashi Ogura, and Kazuomi Nakata.

3. Playing Career

Hiroki Mizuhara's professional playing career began in 1993 and saw him play for a variety of clubs across different Japanese football leagues, including the J1 League, J2 League, and Japan Football League (JFL).

3.1. Professional Entry and Early Career

After graduating from high school, Mizuhara joined Nagoya Grampus Eight in 1993. His professional debut came on March 25, 1995, when he appeared as a substitute against Júbilo Iwata. However, during his initial period with Nagoya Grampus Eight until 1998, his playing opportunities were severely limited as he was largely behind the team's established goalkeeper, Yuji Ito.

3.2. Major Affiliated Clubs and Activities

Mizuhara's career saw him move between several clubs, establishing himself as a key player in some, while facing strong competition in others.

3.2.1. Nagoya Grampus Eight (1993-1998)

Mizuhara spent six seasons with Nagoya Grampus Eight from 1993 to 1998. Despite being part of a J1 League club, his playing time was minimal. He made only one league appearance during this entire period, which was his debut match in 1995. The presence of veteran goalkeeper Yuji Ito significantly restricted his opportunities to play.

3.2.2. Honda FC (1999)

In 1999, Mizuhara moved to Honda FC, a club competing in the Japan Football League (JFL). This move proved beneficial for his career as he gained significantly more playing time, appearing in 17 league matches and 2 Emperor's Cup matches, totaling 19 appearances for the season.

3.2.3. Yokohama FC (2000-2003)

Mizuhara joined Yokohama FC in 2000, which was also a JFL club at the time. He quickly established himself as the regular goalkeeper, playing a crucial role in the team's success. Yokohama FC won the JFL championship in 2000, earning promotion to the J2 League for the 2001 season. He continued to be the team's primary goalkeeper after their promotion, but by 2003, he began to lose his starting position to the younger, then-rookie goalkeeper Takanori Sugeno. During his four seasons with Yokohama FC, he made 118 league appearances.

3.2.4. Tokyo Verdy (2004-2006)

In 2004, Mizuhara moved to Tokyo Verdy, marking his return to the J1 League. On May 14, 2005, he played against Kashiwa Reysol in a J1 League match, filling in for the suspended Yoshinari Takagi. This match was his first J1 appearance in 10 years, and he contributed to the team's victory with several "super saves." Despite this notable performance, he struggled to secure a regular spot due to the consistent form of Yoshinari Takagi, making only limited appearances over three seasons until 2006. During his tenure, Tokyo Verdy won the 84th Emperor's Cup but was subsequently relegated to the J2 League.

3.2.5. Giravanz Kitakyushu (2007-2011)

Mizuhara joined New Wave Kitakyushu (later renamed Giravanz Kitakyushu) in 2007, a club then playing in the Japanese Regional Leagues. He became the regular goalkeeper for the team, playing a pivotal role in their ascent through the Japanese football pyramid. The club was promoted to the JFL in 2008 and further to the J2 League in 2010. In 2010, playing in the J.League for the first time in four years, Mizuhara continued to deliver strong performances, making good saves from the back. However, the team struggled significantly, setting a J.League worst record of 33 consecutive matches without a win, ultimately finishing last in the league. In 2011, he lost his starting position to Yuya Sato, who had joined the club that year, and also saw limited opportunities as Shogo Tokihisa often served as the second-choice goalkeeper. Mizuhara made no appearances in 2011, and his contract with Kitakyushu expired on November 27, 2012.

3.2.6. Kamatamare Sanuki (2012)

In 2012, Mizuhara moved to Kamatamare Sanuki, a JFL club that was aiming for promotion to the J.League, on a loan spell. He played in 7 league matches during the season, but he was unable to secure the regular goalkeeper position from Takuya Seguchi. He departed the club after the loan period ended.

3.2.7. Veertien Mie (2013)

After a brief period of retirement, Mizuhara made a comeback to professional football in May 2013, joining Veertien Kuwana (now known as Veertien Mie), a club in the Japanese Prefectural Leagues. He played for the club for one season before his contract expired at the end of the year.

3.3. Retirement and Comeback

On February 8, 2013, Hiroki Mizuhara officially announced his retirement from professional football. However, his retirement was short-lived. On May 7, 2013, he announced his return to the sport, joining Veertien Kuwana. He played for the club for one season before his contract concluded at the end of 2013, marking the end of his professional playing career.

4. Career Statistics

The following table details Hiroki Mizuhara's club performance throughout his professional career.

Club performanceLeagueCupLeague CupContinentalTotal
SeasonClubLeagueAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
JapanLeagueEmperor's CupJ.League CupAsiaTotal
1993Nagoya Grampus EightJ1 League000000-00
1994000000-00
19951000--10
1996000000-00
1997000000-00
1998000000-00
1999Honda FCFootball League17020--190
2000Yokohama FCFootball League18020--200
2001J2 League4204030-490
200239020--410
200319010--200
2004Tokyo VerdyJ1 League000010-10
2005100000-10
2006J2 League8010-10100
2007New Wave KitakyushuRegional Leagues200---200
2008Football League34030--370
200934010--350
2010Giravanz KitakyushuJ2 League33020--350
20110000--00
2012Kamatamare SanukiFootball League7010--80
2013Veertien KuwanaPrefectural Leagues00-00-00
Total273019040102970
  • J.League debut: March 25, 1995 (Suntory Series Round 3 vs. Júbilo Iwata)
  • Other international matches: 1996 Asian Cup Winners' Cup (3 appearances, 0 goals)

5. Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Hiroki Mizuhara received several accolades and honors, both at the high school and professional levels.

  • 1991: National High School Soccer Championship - Winner (with Yokkaichi Chuo Kogyo High School)
  • 1992: National High School Soccer Championship - Best 8 (with Yokkaichi Chuo Kogyo High School)
  • 1992: Japan High School Selection
  • 2005: Emperor's Cup - Winner (with Tokyo Verdy 1969)
  • 2005: Xerox Super Cup - Winner (with Tokyo Verdy 1969)
  • 2009: Japan Football League Best Eleven