1. Overview
Tetsuo Sugamata (菅又 哲男Sugamata TetsuoJapanese, born November 29, 1957) is a former Japanese football player who made significant contributions to the sport in Japan during the 1970s and 1980s. He played as a defender for Hitachi (now Kashiwa Reysol) in the Japan Soccer League and represented the Japan national team in 23 international A-matches. After his playing career, Sugamata transitioned into administrative roles, serving as General Manager for Kashiwa Reysol, further contributing to the development and management of professional football in Japan.
2. Personal History and Background
Tetsuo Sugamata was born in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, on November 29, 1957. His early life and education laid the foundation for his distinguished football career.
2.1. Childhood and Education
Sugamata's journey in football began when he moved to Yonoshi (now part of Saitama City), Saitama Prefecture, in his sixth year of elementary school. At the time, Saitama was renowned as a "football kingdom," and this environment sparked his interest in the sport. He continued his football development at Urawa Minami High School, a nationally recognized powerhouse in high school football, where he contributed to the team winning the National High School Soccer Championship. Following high school, Sugamata enrolled at Hosei University. During his first year at the university, he helped his team secure the university championship. His talent was recognized early, as he was selected for the Japan national team in his third year of university.
3. Playing Career
Tetsuo Sugamata had a notable playing career spanning from his youth days through his professional tenure with Hitachi and his appearances for the Japan national team.
3.1. Youth and Professional Debut
Sugamata honed his skills during his time at Urawa Minami High School, where he achieved national success by winning the National High School Soccer Championship. He then continued his football journey at Hosei University, where he also achieved significant success, including a university championship in his freshman year. His impressive performances at the university level led to his selection for the Japan national team while still a student. After graduating from Hosei University in 1980, Sugamata officially began his professional career, joining the Hitachi football club.
3.2. Club Career
Tetsuo Sugamata played for Hitachi from 1980 until his retirement in 1987. During his tenure with the club, he was a prominent figure in the Japan Soccer League (JSL) First Division. Hitachi achieved notable success during this period, finishing second in the 1980 JSL Cup and the 1982 Japan Soccer League season. Sugamata was individually recognized for his performance, being selected for the JSL Best Eleven in both 1980 and 1982. He also participated in the JSL East-West All-Star Game three times, in 1980, 1982, and 1984. Throughout his club career, he made a total of 131 appearances in the league.
3.2.1. Club Statistics
The following table details Tetsuo Sugamata's league appearances and goals for Hitachi in the Japan Soccer League First Division:
| Japan | League | JSL Cup | Emperor's Cup | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Club | Appearances | Goals | Appearances | Goals | Appearances | Goals | Appearances | Goals |
| 1980 | Hitachi | 18 | 0 | ||||||
| 1981 | 16 | 0 | |||||||
| 1982 | 18 | 1 | |||||||
| 1983 | 18 | 0 | |||||||
| 1984 | 17 | 0 | |||||||
| 1985 | 22 | 1 | |||||||
| 1986-87 | 22 | 0 | |||||||
| Career Total | 131 | 2 | |||||||
3.3. National Team Career
Tetsuo Sugamata made his debut for the Japan national team on July 23, 1978, against Singapore, while he was still a student at Hosei University. After joining Hitachi, he rejoined the national team in June 1980. He was a regular member of the national squad until 1984, participating in various significant tournaments and qualification campaigns. These included the 1982 FIFA World Cup qualification, the 1982 Asian Games, the Asian Youth tournament in Thailand, the Universiade in Mexico, the Moscow Olympics qualifiers, and the Los Angeles Olympics qualifiers. He accumulated 23 caps for Japan during his international career.
3.3.1. National Team Statistics
The following table provides a year-by-year breakdown of Tetsuo Sugamata's appearances and goals for the Japan national team in international A-matches:
| Japan national team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 1978 | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 | 0 | 0 |
| 1980 | 7 | 0 |
| 1981 | 3 | 0 |
| 1982 | 6 | 0 |
| 1983 | 5 | 0 |
| 1984 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 23 | 0 |
3.3.2. International A-Match Appearances
The table below lists Tetsuo Sugamata's specific international A-match appearances for the Japan national team:
| No. | Date | Host City | Stadium | Opponent | Result | Coach | Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1978-07-23 | Kuala Lumpur | Singapore | L 1-2 | Hiroshi Ninomiya | Merdeka Tournament | |
| 2. | 1980-06-09 | Guangzhou | Hong Kong | W 3-1 | Masashi Watanabe | Guangzhou International Football Tournament | |
| 3. | 1980-06-11 | Guangzhou | China | L 0-1 | Guangzhou International Football Tournament | ||
| 4. | 1980-06-18 | Guangzhou | Hong Kong | W 2-0 | Guangzhou International Football Tournament | ||
| 5. | 1980-12-22 | Hong Kong | Singapore | W 1-0 | Saburo Kawabuchi | World Cup Qualification | |
| 6. | 1980-12-26 | Hong Kong | China | L 0-1 | World Cup Qualification | ||
| 7. | 1980-12-28 | Hong Kong | Macau | W 3-0 | World Cup Qualification | ||
| 8. | 1980-12-30 | Hong Kong | North Korea | L 0-1 (AET) | World Cup Qualification | ||
| 9. | 1981-02-08 | Kuantan | Malaysia | L 0-1 | Masashi Watanabe | International Friendly | |
| 10. | 1981-02-19 | Singapore | Singapore | D 0-0 | Masashi Watanabe | International Friendly | |
| 11. | 1981-06-02 | Saitama Prefecture | Omiya Park Soccer Stadium | China | D 0-0 | Takaji Mori | Japan Cup |
| 12. | 1982-06-02 | Hiroshima Prefecture | Hiroshima Prefectural Sports Center Main Stadium | Singapore | W 2-0 | Japan Cup | |
| 13. | 1982-07-18 | Bucharest | Romania | L 1-3 | International Friendly | ||
| 14. | 1982-11-21 | New Delhi | Iran | W 1-0 | Asian Games | ||
| 15. | 1982-11-23 | New Delhi | South Yemen | W 3-1 | Asian Games | ||
| 16. | 1982-11-25 | New Delhi | South Korea | W 2-1 | Asian Games | ||
| 17. | 1982-11-28 | New Delhi | Iraq | L 0-1 (AET) | Asian Games | ||
| 18. | 1983-02-12 | Damascus | Syria | D 2-2 | International Friendly | ||
| 19. | 1983-02-25 | Doha | Qatar | L 0-1 | International Friendly | ||
| 20. | 1983-03-06 | Tokyo | National Olympic Stadium | South Korea | D 1-1 | Japan-Korea Regular Match | |
| 21. | 1983-06-07 | Tokyo | National Olympic Stadium | Syria | W 1-0 | Japan Cup | |
| 22. | 1983-09-20 | Taipei | Chinese Taipei | D 1-1 | Olympic Qualification | ||
| 23. | 1984-04-15 | Singapore | Thailand | L 2-5 | Olympic Qualification |
4. Post-Playing Career
After retiring as a player in 1987, Tetsuo Sugamata remained involved in football, transitioning into administrative roles. He notably served as the General Manager for Kashiwa Reysol (the successor to his former club, Hitachi) in 2002. From 2003 to 2005, he held the position of Team General Manager for the club, contributing to its organizational and strategic development.
5. Evaluation
Tetsuo Sugamata's career as a player and his subsequent administrative roles highlight his dedicated and long-standing involvement in Japanese football.
5.1. Player Achievements
As a player for Hitachi, Sugamata was recognized for his consistent performance and defensive prowess. His significant achievements include being selected for the JSL Best Eleven in both 1980 and 1982, indicating his status as one of the top players in the league during those years. He also played a key role in Hitachi's success, contributing to their second-place finishes in the 1980 JSL Cup and the 1982 Japan Soccer League season. His 23 appearances for the Japan national team further underscore his standing as a prominent figure in Japanese football during his era.
5.2. Criticism and Controversy
There is no specific information available in the provided sources regarding any criticisms or controversies related to Tetsuo Sugamata's playing career or his post-playing activities.
6. Impact
Tetsuo Sugamata's career had a tangible impact on Japanese football, both through his direct involvement as a player and his later contributions in administrative roles.
6.1. Contribution to Japanese Football
Sugamata's early exposure to football in Saitama Prefecture, a region known for its football culture, provided him with a strong foundation. His success at Urawa Minami High School, winning the national championship, and at Hosei University, securing a university championship, showcased his talent from a young age and contributed to the competitive landscape of Japanese youth and collegiate football. As a professional player for Hitachi and a member of the Japan national team, he was part of the generation that helped elevate the standard of Japanese football during the 1970s and 1980s. His consistent performance, recognized by multiple Best Eleven selections, demonstrated a high level of play. Furthermore, his transition into administrative roles, particularly as General Manager for Kashiwa Reysol, indicates his continued commitment to the sport's development beyond the field, contributing to the professionalization and management of Japanese clubs.