JapaneseFootballerGoalkeeperUrawa Red Diamonds

Satoshi Yamaguchi (footballer, born 1959)

Satoshi Yamaguchi was a Japanese goalkeeper who made one national team appearance but never played a league match for his club.

1. Early Life and Education

Satoshi Yamaguchi's early life and educational background laid the foundation for his football career.

1.1. Birth and Childhood

Yamaguchi was born on August 1, 1959, in Oita Prefecture, Japan.

1.2. Education

Yamaguchi attended Oita Technical High School (大分県立大分工業高等学校Ōita Kenritsu Ōita Kōgyō Kōtō GakkōJapanese). In his third year of high school, he participated in the National High School Soccer Championship. He graduated in 1978.

2. Football Career

Satoshi Yamaguchi's football career spanned both club and national team levels, marked by his role as a goalkeeper.

2.1. Club Career

After graduating from high school in 1978, Yamaguchi joined Mitsubishi Motors (now known as Urawa Reds), a prominent club in the Japan Soccer League (JSL) Division 1. Throughout his seven years at the club, from 1978 to 1984, Yamaguchi served as a reserve goalkeeper. He was primarily behind Mitsuhisa Taguchi, who was the starting goalkeeper for the Japan national team at the time. Due to Taguchi's consistent presence, Yamaguchi never made an appearance in a league game for Mitsubishi Motors. In 1984, following Taguchi's retirement, Yamaguchi was given the number 1 jersey. However, he faced new competition from Akihisa Sonobe, who had come from Mitsubishi Yowa SC. Yamaguchi was unable to secure the starting position and ultimately retired from professional football in 1984 without having played a single league match.

2.2. National Team Career

Despite his lack of club appearances, Yamaguchi's talent was recognized at the national level, leading to selections for both the U-20 and senior national teams.

2.2.1. U-20 National Team

In August 1979, Yamaguchi was selected for the Japan U-20 national team to participate in the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship, which was hosted in Japan. During the tournament, he served as a reserve goalkeeper, with Yasuhito Suzuki being the primary choice. Consequently, Yamaguchi did not make any appearances in the championship matches.

2.2.2. Senior National Team

In February 1981, despite his ongoing lack of playing time at the club level, Yamaguchi received a call-up to the senior national team. This selection was part of a policy by Japan's manager, Saburo Kawabuchi, who actively sought to integrate young players into the squad. Yamaguchi made his debut for the Japan national team on February 19, 1981, in an international friendly match against Singapore. The match ended in a 0-0 draw. This single appearance remained his only cap for the senior national team throughout his career.

3. Statistics

Satoshi Yamaguchi's professional football career statistics reflect his roles at both club and international levels.

3.1. Club Statistics

Yamaguchi played for Mitsubishi Motors in the Japan Soccer League Division 1 from 1978 to 1984. Despite being part of the squad for seven seasons, he did not make any league appearances.

Club performanceLeague
SeasonClubLeagueAppsGoals
JapanLeague
1978Mitsubishi MotorsJSL Division 100
197900
198000
198100
198200
198300
198400
Total00

3.2. National Team Statistics

Yamaguchi made one appearance for the Japan national football team in 1981, playing as a goalkeeper. He did not score any goals.

Japan national team
YearAppsGoals
198110
Total10

4. Post-Career and Legacy

Specific details regarding Satoshi Yamaguchi's activities or professional endeavors after his retirement from football in 1984 are not widely documented in available sources. His legacy primarily resides in his unique career trajectory as a national team player who never played a league match for his club, highlighting the competitive landscape of Japanese football during his era.