1. Early Life and Education
Hisao Sekiguchi was born on October 29, 1954, in Urawa City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan, which is now part of Saitama City. He attended Urawa Minami High School.
2. Club Career
Sekiguchi spent his entire professional club career with Mitsubishi Motors, joining the team in 1973 after graduating from high school. He contributed significantly to the club's success, which included multiple major titles throughout his tenure.
2.1. Mitsubishi Motors
Hisao Sekiguchi joined the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Football Club, now known as Urawa Red Diamonds, in 1973. In his debut year, the club achieved remarkable success, winning both the Japan Soccer League and the Emperor's Cup. The pinnacle of his career with the club came in 1978 when Mitsubishi Motors secured a historic treble, winning all three major titles in Japan: the Japan Soccer League, the JSL Cup, and the Emperor's Cup.
During the 1980s, Sekiguchi continued to be a key player as the club added more silverware to its collection. Mitsubishi Motors won the Emperor's Cup again in 1980, followed by the JSL Cup in 1981, and another Japan Soccer League championship in 1982. Sekiguchi retired from professional football in 1988, having played 153 league matches and scoring 36 goals during his 15 years with the club.
3. National Team Career
Hisao Sekiguchi was a member of the Japan national football team, making his international debut in 1978.
3.1. International Appearances and Goals
Hisao Sekiguchi earned his first cap for the Japan national football team on May 23, 1978, in a match against the Thailand national team. This game, part of the Japan Cup, was held in Nagoya, Japan, at the Mizuho Park Rugby Field, and Japan won with a score of 3-1 under manager Hiroshi Ninomiya.
He went on to participate in two more matches in July 1978 during the Merdeka Tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The first was on July 21, 1978, where Japan suffered a 1-4 defeat against the Malaysia national team. His final international appearance was on July 26, 1978, also against the Thailand national team in Kuala Lumpur, where Japan secured a decisive 4-0 victory. Sekiguchi scored his only international goal in this match. In total, he played 3 matches and scored 1 goal for Japan in 1978.
4. Post-playing Career
After retiring as a professional footballer in 1988, Hisao Sekiguchi remained deeply involved in the sport, transitioning into important roles focused on player development and scouting. He joined the youth development and strengthening departments of Urawa Red Diamonds, his former club.
As a scout for Urawa Red Diamonds, Sekiguchi played a crucial role in identifying and acquiring talented young players. He is particularly recognized for his efforts in securing players such as Nobuhisa Yamada and Yuichiro Nagai, both of whom went on to have significant careers with the club and the national team. Beyond his club contributions, Sekiguchi also made appearances in media, notably as a member of "FC Nori no" on the Nippon TV program "Tunnels no Nama de Daradara Ikasete!!", alongside entertainers like Noritake Kinashi, and former footballers such as Mitsuhisa Taguchi and Koichi Kawazoe.
5. Playing Style and Characteristics
Hisao Sekiguchi played primarily as a forward throughout his career. He was known for being a left-footed player. He stood at 69 in (176 cm) tall and weighed 148 lb (67 kg).
6. Career Statistics
Hisao Sekiguchi's career statistics encompass his performances in various club competitions and his appearances for the national team.
6.1. Club Statistics
Hisao Sekiguchi's detailed club statistics for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are as follows:
| Japan | League | JSL Cup | Emperor's Cup | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| 1973 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JSL Division 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 1974 | 1 | 0 | - | |||||||
| 1975 | 2 | 0 | - | |||||||
| 1976 | 15 | 8 | ||||||||
| 1977 | 16 | 5 | ||||||||
| 1978 | 18 | 4 | ||||||||
| 1979 | 16 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 24 | 8 | ||
| 1980 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 18 | 6 | ||
| 1981 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 6 | ||
| 1982 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 2 | ||
| 1983 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 1 | ||
| 1984 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 3 | ||
| 1985 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | ||
| 1986-87 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 1 | ||
| 1987-88 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 153 | 36 | 19 | 6 | 15 | 3 | 180 | 28 | ||
6.2. National Team Statistics
Hisao Sekiguchi's national team statistics for the Japan national football team:
| Japan National Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 1978 | 3 | 1 |
| Total | 3 | 1 |
7. Legacy and Influence
Hisao Sekiguchi's legacy extends beyond his playing days, particularly through his significant contributions to Urawa Red Diamonds' player development and scouting efforts. After his retirement as a professional footballer, his work as a scout for the club's youth and strengthening departments proved instrumental. He is credited with playing a key role in identifying and bringing in future talents like Nobuhisa Yamada and Yuichiro Nagai, who both became important players for Urawa Red Diamonds and the Japan national football team. His involvement in this critical aspect of club management highlights his continued dedication to Japanese football and his lasting influence on the sport by helping to shape the careers of subsequent generations of players.