1. Overview
Masahiro Momitani is a former Japanese professional footballer who primarily played as a defender. Born in Osaka Prefecture in 1981, he began his football journey in his youth with Cerezo Osaka before embarking on a professional career that spanned over a decade. He is best known for his tenures at Thespa Kusatsu (formerly Thespakusatsu Gunma) and AC Nagano Parceiro, where he contributed to multiple league promotions across various Japanese football divisions. After retiring from playing in 2012, Momitani transitioned into coaching, focusing on youth development.
2. Personal Information
Masahiro Momitani's personal details include his birth information and early involvement in football, which laid the foundation for his professional career.
2.1. Birth and Early Life
Masahiro Momitani (籾谷 真弘Momitani MasahiroJapanese) was born on June 2, 1981, in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. He began playing football at the age of eight, joining Kagada SC in Kawachinagano City. He continued his youth development through Mikanocho Junior High School. During his high school years, he attended Sakai Municipal Technical High School while concurrently being a part of the Cerezo Osaka youth team.
3. Playing Career
Masahiro Momitani's playing career saw him develop through a prominent youth system before spending over a decade in various Japanese professional football clubs, primarily as a defender.
3.1. Youth Career
Momitani spent his formative years in football within the youth system of Cerezo Osaka. He was part of the Cerezo Osaka youth team from 1997 to 1999, honing his skills before being promoted to the senior squad.
3.2. Professional Club Career
Momitani's professional career saw him play for three distinct clubs, experiencing various levels of Japanese football and contributing to their growth.
3.2.1. Cerezo Osaka
Momitani joined the J1 League club Cerezo Osaka's top team in 2000 directly from their youth system. Despite being with the club for two seasons, from 2000 to 2001, he did not make any official appearances in matches. Following this period, he was released from the team.
3.2.2. Thespa Kusatsu
In 2002, Momitani moved to Thespa Kusatsu, which at the time was competing in the Gunma Prefectural League 1st Division. He quickly became a key player, often featuring as a center back. During his tenure with Thespa Kusatsu, the club achieved significant promotions:
- In 2003, they were promoted to the Kanto League 2nd Division.
- In 2004, the club ascended to the JFL. During this period, until 2004, Momitani also worked in the local hot spring town alongside his playing duties.
- By 2005, Thespa Kusatsu had earned promotion to the J2 League.
Momitani played many matches for the club until 2005, but his playing time decreased in 2006. He remained with Thespa Kusatsu until the end of the 2006 season.
3.2.3. AC Nagano Parceiro
In 2007, Momitani transferred to AC Nagano Parceiro, then playing in the Hokushinetsu League 1st Division. He established himself as a regular player for the club. Under his contributions, AC Nagano Parceiro was promoted to the JFL in 2011. However, his opportunities to play diminished from 2011 onwards, and in the 2012 season, he made only two appearances due to injury. On November 22, 2012, the club announced that his contract would not be renewed for the following season. He officially announced his retirement as a professional player on January 23, 2013, simultaneously revealing his appointment as a staff member in the club's youth development department.
3.3. Position
Masahiro Momitani primarily played as a defender throughout his professional career. He was notably deployed as a center back during his time at Thespa Kusatsu, indicating his role in the central defense. He stands at 71 in (180 cm) tall and weighs 163 lb (74 kg).
4. National Team Career
Masahiro Momitani also represented Japan at the youth international level. He was selected for both the U-18 Japan national team and the U-19 Japan national team during his teenage years.
5. Statistics
The following table details Masahiro Momitani's club performance throughout his professional playing career.
| 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 | ||||||
| 2000 | Cerezo Osaka | J1 League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2002 | Thespa Kusatsu | Gunma Prefectural League 1st Division | 13 | 3 | - | - | 13 | 3 | ||
| 2003 | Kanto League 2nd Division | 13 | 0 | - | - | 13 | 0 | |||
| 2004 | JFL | 15 | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | 19 | 0 | ||
| 2005 | J2 League | 36 | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | 37 | 1 | ||
| 2006 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 7 | 0 | |||
| 2007 | AC Nagano Parceiro | Hokushinetsu League 1st Division | 13 | 0 | - | - | 13 | 0 | ||
| 2008 | 13 | 4 | - | - | 13 | 4 | ||||
| 2009 | 12 | 1 | - | - | 12 | 1 | ||||
| 2010 | 14 | 1 | - | - | 14 | 1 | ||||
| 2011 | JFL | 12 | 0 | - | - | 12 | 0 | |||
| 2012 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 2 | 0 | |||
| Total | 150 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 155 | 10 | ||
6. Coaching Career
After concluding his playing career, Masahiro Momitani transitioned into football coaching, primarily focusing on youth development. From 2013 to 2014, he served as a coach in the youth development department of his former club, AC Nagano Parceiro. Since 2015, he has been a coach at the Jeo Soccer Clinic. In 2020, he further expanded his coaching endeavors by establishing his own initiative, the Momichan Soccer School, which operates primarily in the Tatebayashi area.