Tetsuharu Yamaguchi | Today's AI Wiki

1. Overview

Tetsuharu Yamaguchi (山口哲治_{Yamaguchi Tetsuharu}^Japanese, born September 8, 1977) is a former Japanese football player who played as a goalkeeper. His professional career spanned from 1996 to 2002, primarily with Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Sagan Tosu. Following his retirement from professional football, Yamaguchi dedicated himself to community sports development and coaching, notably establishing "Supokomi Isahaya," a comprehensive community sports club in his hometown.

2. Personal Information

Tetsuharu Yamaguchi's background includes his birth details and early educational path.

2.1. Birth and Background

Tetsuharu Yamaguchi was born on September 8, 1977, in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. He stands at 72 in ^{(184 cm)} and weighs 176 lb ^{(80 kg)}.

2.2. Education

Yamaguchi attended Nagasaki Prefectural Isahaya Commercial High School (長崎県立諫早商業高等学校_{Nagasaki Kenritsu Isahaya Shōgyō Kōtō Gakkō}^Japanese), where he was active in the school's football program.

3. Playing Career

Yamaguchi's playing career encompassed his formative years in youth football and his professional tenure in the J.League.

3.1. Youth Career

From 1993 to 1995, Tetsuharu Yamaguchi played for the football team of Nagasaki Prefectural Isahaya Commercial High School.

3.2. Professional Career

Yamaguchi's professional career as a goalkeeper began in 1996 and concluded in 2002, during which he played for two prominent Japanese clubs.

3.2.1. Sanfrecce Hiroshima

In 1996, after graduating from high school, Yamaguchi joined Sanfrecce Hiroshima, a club then competing in the J1 League. During his three seasons with the club, from 1996 to 1998, he faced significant competition for playing time. Established goalkeepers such as Kazuya Maekawa, Kazumasa Kono, and Takashi Shimoda limited his opportunities. Consequently, Yamaguchi did not make any official appearances in league matches or cup competitions during his time at Sanfrecce Hiroshima. His teammates during this period included Kouta Hattori, Takashi Kageyama, Keita Kanemoto, Jun Takata, Ikkei Matsunaga, Shoji Akimitsu, and Minoru Ueda.

3.2.2. Sagan Tosu

Yamaguchi transferred to Sagan Tosu in 1999, a club that had just been promoted to the J2 League. Initially, he continued to face competition, particularly from Riki Takasaki, which limited his appearances in 2000. However, following Takasaki's departure in 2001, Yamaguchi seized the opportunity and became a regular starting goalkeeper for Sagan Tosu, making 37 league appearances that season. Despite this breakthrough, he subsequently lost his regular position to Junnosuke Schneider. Yamaguchi ultimately retired from professional football at the end of the 2002 season, citing family reasons. Over his four seasons with Sagan Tosu, he made a total of 57 league appearances and 4 appearances in the Emperor's Cup.

3.3. National Team Career

Tetsuharu Yamaguchi also represented Japan at the youth international level. He was a member of both the U-19 Japan national team and the U-20 Japan national team.

4. Player Statistics

The following table details Tetsuharu Yamaguchi's professional club statistics across various competitions.

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
1996	Sanfrecce Hiroshima	J1 League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1997			0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1998			0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1999	Sagan Tosu	J2 League	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
2000			1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
2001			37	0	4	0	0	0	41	0
2002			18	0	0	0	-		18	0
Total			57	0	4	0	0	0	61	0

5. Post-Retirement Activities

Following his retirement from professional football, Tetsuharu Yamaguchi embarked on a new chapter, focusing on community engagement, coaching, and sports development in his hometown.

5.1. Coaching and Community Involvement

After concluding his professional playing career, Yamaguchi returned to Isahaya City, his hometown in Nagasaki Prefecture, where he initially managed a restaurant. He soon transitioned his focus back to football, taking on coaching roles. He served as a coach for the football club at his alma mater, Nagasaki Prefectural Isahaya Commercial High School. Additionally, he contributed to regional football development as a goalkeeper coach for the Nagasaki Prefecture National Sports Festival team.

Yamaguchi became a key figure in promoting football within Nagasaki Prefecture, notably as the Chairman of the Type 1 Technical Committee of the Nagasaki Prefectural Football Association. Driven by a desire to continue providing sports guidance to children, a pursuit he had maintained since returning to his hometown, he initiated the "Supokomi Isahaya Establishment Preparation Committee" (スポコミいさはや設立準備委員会^Japanese) in April 2013. This committee was tasked with laying the groundwork for a comprehensive community sports club. Their efforts culminated in the establishment of "Supokomi Isahaya" (総合型地域スポーツクラブスポコミいさはや^Japanese) in March 2015, which received official certification from the Japan Sport Association (日本体育協会^Japanese). The club officially commenced its activities in April 2015, providing diverse sports programs to the local community.