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Takehiko Kawanishi

Takehiko Kawanishi is a former Japanese football player who played as a forward or midfielder and was a member of the Japan national team from 1959 to 1962.

1. Overview

Takehiko Kawanishi (川西 武彦Kawanishi TakehikoJapanese, born October 9, 1938) is a former Japanese football player who played as a forward or midfielder. He was a member of the Japan national football team.

2. Biography

2.1. Birth and Early Life

Takehiko Kawanishi was born on October 9, 1938, in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.

2.2. Education

He attended Kōtaiji High School from 1954 to 1956. Following his high school education, he pursued higher studies at Rikkyo University, where he was a student from 1957 to 1960.

3. Playing Career

3.1. Club Career

After graduating from Rikkyo University in 1960, Kawanishi joined his local club, Toyo Industries, in 1961. He remained with Toyo Industries until his retirement from playing in 1966. In 1965, Toyo Industries became a part of the newly established Japan Soccer League (JSL). Despite the club's participation in the JSL during his tenure, Kawanishi did not make any league appearances for Toyo Industries.

3.2. National Team Career

While still a student at Rikkyo University, Takehiko Kawanishi was selected to represent the Japan national football team. He made his international debut on December 20, 1959, in Tokyo, Japan, against South Korea. This match was part of the qualification rounds for the 1960 Summer Olympics. He also participated in qualifying matches for the World Cup Chile tournament.

Kawanishi played a total of 8 international A-matches for Japan between 1959 and 1962, scoring no goals. His international appearances included:

  • December 20, 1959, in Tokyo, Japan, against South Korea (won 1-0), under coach Shigemaru Takenokoshi, in an Olympic qualifier.
  • November 6, 1960, in Seoul, South Korea, against South Korea (lost 1-2), under coach Dettmar Cramer, in a World Cup qualifier.
  • August 2, 1961, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, against Malaya (lost 2-3), under coach Hidetoki Takahashi, in the Merdeka Tournament.
  • August 6, 1961, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, against India (won 3-1), in the Merdeka Tournament.
  • August 10, 1961, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, against South Vietnam (lost 2-3), in the Merdeka Tournament.
  • August 15, 1961, in Singapore, Singapore, against Indonesia (lost 0-2), in an international friendly.
  • November 28, 1961, in Tokyo, Japan, against Yugoslavia (lost 0-1), in an international friendly.
  • September 21, 1962, in Singapore, Singapore, against Singapore (lost 1-2), in an international friendly.

4. Post-Playing Career

After retiring from his playing career in 1966, Takehiko Kawanishi continued his professional activities by working for Toyo Industries, the same company whose football club he had played for. Toyo Industries later became known as Mazda.

5. Statistics

5.1. Club Statistics

Kawanishi's club statistics for Toyo Industries in the Japan Soccer League are as follows:

Club performanceLeague
SeasonClubLeagueAppsGoals
JapanLeague
1965Toyo IndustriesJSL Division 100
196600
Total00

5.2. National Team Statistics

Kawanishi's year-by-year statistics for the Japan national football team from 1959 to 1962 are detailed below:

YearAppsGoals
195910
196010
196150
196210
Total80