Nozomi Hiroyama

Nozomi Hiroyama (廣山 望, Hiroyama Nozomi, born June 6, 1975) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Hiroyama played over 400 games during his career which included spells in Japan, France, Portugal, Paraguay, Brazil and United States, as well as earning two caps with the Japan national team. Hiroyama was the first Japanese footballer to dispute the Copa Libertadores competition.[2]

Nozomi Hiroyama
廣山 望
Personal information
Date of birth (1975-06-06) June 6, 1975
Place of birth Sodegaura, Chiba, Japan
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1993–1995 Narashino High School
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–2000 JEF United Ichihara 120 (12)
2001 Cerro Porteño 29 (3)
2002 Sport Recife 0 (0)
2002–2003 Braga 8 (0)
2003–2004 Montpellier 7 (0)
2004–2008 Tokyo Verdy 79 (11)
2005 → Cerezo Osaka (loan) 15 (0)
2009–2010 Thespa Kusatsu 73 (3)
2011–2012 Richmond Kickers 39 (0)
Total 370 (29)
International career
1997 Japan U-20 4 (1)
2001 Japan 2 (0)
Medal record
JEF United Ichihara
Runner-upJ.League Cup1998
Tokyo Verdy
WinnerEmperor's Cup2004
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Japan

Hiroyama began his career with his hometown team, JEF United Ichihara, in the Japanese J1 League, helping his team to the final of the J.League Cup in 1998, and making 120 appearances and scoring 20 goals in total in his four years with the team. Whilst Hiroyama was at JEF United, the physical trainer of the team was Paraguayan, who gave good references to him, and then the opportunity was given to Hiroyama to play at Cerro Porteño.[3]

Cerro Porteño

Hiroyama signed for Paraguayan side Cerro Porteño in 2001, and during his time in South America became the first Japanese footballer to play and score in the Copa Libertadores.[4] Hiroyama featured for Cerro Porteño for 1 year and a half.[5] He was coached by Cesar Jacquet.[6]

Hiroyama was one of two foreigners in Cerro Porteño's squad, which included Costa Rican footballer Froylan Ledezma.[7] In Cerro Porteño's team, Hiroyama colleagued with Aldo Bobadilla, Diego Barreto, Nelson Zelaya, Carlos Baez, Sergio Aquino, Jorge Luis Campos, Guido Alvarenga, Julio dos Santos, Cesar Ramirez, Virgilio Ferreira, Santiago Salcedo and Ledezma.[8]

Hiroyama scored 3 goals in 27 league games for Cerro Porteño.[1] Hiroyama scored in a 1-0 victory against Sportivo San Lorenzo.[2]

In the 2001 Copa Libertadores, Hiroyama scored 2 goals in 7 games.[1] On 22 March 2001, Hiroyama scored a double in a 4-0 away victory against Sport Boys Callao in the Copa Libertadores.[9] Both goals came in the first half of the game.[10] On 10 April, Hiroyama played in Cerro Porteño's 6-0 home victory against Universidad de Chile.[11] On 10 May in Cerro Porteño's first-leg tie of the Copa Libertadores round of 16 stage against Mexican club Cruz Azul, Hiroyama played in the team's 2-1 home victory.[12] On 16 May, Hiroyama played in the team's 3-1 away defeat in the second-leg.[13][14]

Hiroyama also played in the 2001 Copa Mercosur, appearing 8 times.[15] He started on 5 occasions in the competition.[15]

Hiroyama was champion with Cerro Porteño in the tournament of 2001.[3]

Sport Recife

He moved to Brazilian side Sport Recife prior to the 2002 season, but never managed to find a way into the team, and left for Europe halfway through the season without making a senior appearance.

Europe

Hiroyama signed for Portuguese team Braga in the winter of 2002, but made just 8 appearances for the team before moving on to French side Montpellier;[16] again, Hiroyama was unable to cement a place in the first team, and returned home to Japan prior to the beginning of the 2004 J1 League season.

Japan

Hiroyama quickly established himself at Tokyo Verdy, helping his team win the 2004 Emperor's Cup, and playing in the 2006 AFC Champions League, but was unable to prevent his side being relegated into J2 that same year. He had a brief spell on loan at Cerezo Osaka in 2005, before moving on to J2 side Thespa Kusatsu in 2009,m having made 79 league appearances and scored 11 goals for Tokyo.

United States

Hiroyama signed with Richmond Kickers of the USL Professional Division on March 16, 2011,[17] and made his debut for his new team on April 9, in a game against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds[18]

On August 17, 2012, Hiroyama announced his retirement from professional football.[19]

International career

In June 1997, Hiroyama was selected Japan U-20 national team for 1997 World Youth Championship.[20] He played 4 matches as right midfielder and scored a goal against Paraguay.

On October 4, 2001, Hiroyama debuted for Japan national team against Senegal. On October 7, he also played against Nigeria. He played 2 games for Japan in 2001.[21]

Coaching career

In 2020, Hiroyama was the second coach of Japan's under-16 national team.[3]

Personal life

In Paraguay, Hiroyama liked Sopa paraguaya and Empanadas.[3] Also, he drank lots of Terere and took with him a Terere thermus kit to keep drinking.[3] In terms of Paraguay's Guarani language, Hiroyama learnt a few words.[3]

Career statistics

Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
JEF United Ichihara19962111081-302
19973014261–404
19983071042–359
19993023000–332
2000913000–121
Cerro Porteño200129372365
Sport Recife20020000
Braga2002–03800010–90
Montpellier2003–047070
Tokyo Verdy2004401010–60
Cerezo Osaka (loan)20051500030–180
Tokyo Verdy200627410–20304
200732710––337
20081601041–211
Thespa Kusatsu200944320––463
201029000––290
Richmond Kickers201120031––231
201219010––200
Career total 370292232759242839

International
Appearances and goals by national team and year[21]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Japan 200120
Total20

References
  1. "Ficha Estadistica de NOZOMI HIROYAMA -nozomi hiroyama- (Perfil, ficha, profile, stats)".
  2. "El inolvidable Hiroyama".
  3. "Crónica / "AÚN TENGO MI TERMO y MI CAMISETA DE CERRO"". 16 March 2020.
  4. "Copa Toyota Libertadores: Boca Juniors primer clasificado". CONMEBOL. 2001-03-23. Archived from the original on October 27, 2006. Retrieved 2009-05-13.
  5. "Nozomi Hiroyama".
  6. "Diario HOY | Samuráis en el fútbol paraguayo: De Uchida al pedrojuanino". 26 April 2016.
  7. "Cerro Porteño Asunción (2001)".
  8. "Cerro Porteño Asunción (2001)".
  9. "Sport Boys Callao 0-4 Cerro Porteño :: Copa Libertadores 2001 :: Ficha del Partido :: Ceroacero.es".
  10. "Sport Boys Callao 0-4 Cerro Porteño :: Copa Libertadores 2001 :: Ficha del Partido :: Ceroacero.es".
  11. "Cerro Porteño vs Univ de Chile - Copa Libertadores 2001: Toda la info, alineaciones y eventos".
  12. http://www.playmakerstats.com/match.php?id=1104587
  13. "Cruz Azul - Cerro Porteño 3:1 (Copa Libertadores 2001, Round of 16)".
  14. http://www.playmakerstats.com/jogo.php?id=1104595
  15. "Nozomi Hiroyama » Partidos de competición oficial » Copa Mercosur".
  16. "Hiroyama makes history again". UEFA. 24 July 2003. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  17. "Kickers Sign Japanese Super". 16 March 2011.
  18. "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 2011-05-14. Retrieved 2011-04-10.
  19. "17 years". nozomi-web. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  20. "Nozomi Hiroyama » Partidos con la selección nacional » Copa Mundial".
  21. Japan National Football Team Database
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