Keizo Imai

Keizo Imai
Personal information
Full name	Keizo Imai
Date of birth	November 19, 1950 (age 73)
Place of birth	Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
1966–1968	Rakuhoku High School
1969–1972	Doshisha University
Senior career*
Years	Team
1973–1980	Fujita Industries
Total
National team
1974–1980	Japan
Honours
Fujita Industries
	* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Keizo Imai (今井敬三, Imai Keizo, born November 19, 1950) is a former Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.

Biography[change | change source]

Imai was born in Kyoto on November 19, 1950. After graduating from Doshisha University, he joined Japan Soccer League club Towa Real Estate (later Fujita Industries) in 1973. The club won the league champions in 1977 and 1979. The club also won 1977 and 1979 Emperor's Cup. He retired in 1980. He played 139 games and scored 3 goals in the league. He was selected "Japanese Footballer of the Year" awards in 1980 and Best Eleven for 4 years in a row (1977-1980).

In September 1974, Imai was selected the Japan national team for 1974 Asian Games. At this competition, on September 3, he debuted against Philippines. In March 1977, he played for Japan for the first time in 3 years at 1978 World Cup qualification. In 1978, he was also selected Japan for 1978 Asian Games. In 1980, he played at 1980 Summer Olympics qualification. This qualification was his last game for Japan. He played 29 games for Japan until 1980.