Ryuichi Sugiyama

Sugiyama was born in Shizuoka on July 4, 1941. After graduating from Meiji University, he joined Japan Soccer League club Mitsubishi Motors in 1966. The club won the champion in 1969 and 1973. The club also won 1971 and 1973 Emperor's Cup. He retired in 1973. In his 8 seasons, he played all matches except 1 game in 1970 season and he was selected Best Eleven in all seasons. He was also selected Japanese Footballer of the Year 3 times (1964, 1969 and 1973).

On May 28, 1961, during Rōnin for university, Sugiyama debuted for Japan national team against Malaya. He played at 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.[1] At 1964 Summer Olympics, he played 3 games and scored 2 goals against Argentina and Ghana. At 1968 Summer Olympics, he played 6 matches and assisted 5 goals and Japan won bronze medal. In 2018, this team was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame. He also played at 1962, 1966 and 1970 Asian Games. At 1972 Summer Olympics qualification in 1971, Japan's failure to qualify for 1972 Summer Olympics. This qualification was his last game for Japan. He played 56 games and scored 15 goals for Japan until 1971.[2]

After retirement, Sugiyama became a manager for Yamaha Motors in 1974. He led the club to the Japan Soccer League Division 1. He is their longest-serving manager, having led the club from 1974 to 1987.[3]

In 2005, Sugiyama was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame.

[2]

National team goals

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	8 August 1963	Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	Malaysia	4–3	Won	1963 Merdeka Tournament
--	14 October 1964	Komazawa Stadium, Tokyo, Japan	Argentina U23	3–2	Won	1964 Summer Olympics
2.	16 October 1964	Komazawa Stadium, Tokyo, Japan	Ghana	2–3	Lost	1964 Summer Olympics
3.	25 March 1965	Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang, Singapore	Singapore	1–4	Won	Friendly
4.	25 March 1965	Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang, Singapore	Singapore	1–4	Won	Friendly
5.	25 March 1965	Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang, Singapore	Singapore	1–4	Won	Friendly
6.	11 December 1966	National Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand	Iran	3–1	Won	Friendly
7.	16 December 1966	National Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand	Singapore	5–1	Won	Friendly
8.	27 September 1967	National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan	Philippines	15–0	Won	1968 Summer Olympics qual.
9.	27 September 1967	National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan	Philippines	15–0	Won	1968 Summer Olympics qual.
10.	7 October 1967	National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan	South Korea	3–3	Draw	1968 Summer Olympics qual.
11.	10 October 1967	National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan	South Vietnam	1–0	Won	1968 Summer Olympics qual.
12.	4 April 1968	Adelaide, Australia	Australia	3–1	Won	Friendly
13.	10 August 1970	Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	Singapore	4–0	Won	1970 Merdeka Tournament
14.	13 August 1971	Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland	Iceland	0–2	Won	Friendly
15.	13 August 1971	Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland	Iceland	0–2	Won	Friendly
Correct as of 6 November 2016[4] Argentina U-23 match is unofficial for JFA

• Japanese Football Player of the Year: (3) 1964, 1969, 1973
• Japan Soccer League Best Eleven: (8) 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973
• Japan Soccer League Silver Ball (Assist Leader): (3) 1968, 1969, 1971

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ryuichi Sugiyama.

• Ryuichi Sugiyama – FIFA competition record
• Ryuichi Sugiyama at National-Football-Teams.com
• Japan National Football Team Database
• Japan Football Hall of Fame at Japan Football Association
• Japan Football Hall of Fame (Japan team at 1968 Olympics) at Japan Football Association