Ryuzo Hiraki

Ryuzo Hiraki
Personal information
Full name	Ryuzo Hiraki
Date of birth	October 7, 1931
Place of birth	Sakai, Osaka, Japan
Date of death	January 2, 2009 (aged 77)
Place of death	Toyota, Aichi, Japan
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
1948–1950	Kishiwada High School
1951–1956	Kwansei Gakuin University
Senior career*
Years	Team
1957	Yuasa Batteries
1958–1966	Furukawa Electric
Total
National team
1954–1962	Japan
Teams managed
1962–1965	Furukawa Electric
1965	Japan U-20
1967–1969	Japan U-20
1992–1993	Nagoya Grampus Eight
Honours
All Kwangaku
Furukawa Electric
	* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Ryuzo Hiraki (平木隆三, Hiraki Ryuzo, October 7, 1931 – January 2, 2009) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for the Japan national team.

Biography[change | change source]

Hiraki was born in Sakai on October 7, 1931. After graduating from Kwansei Gakuin University, he joined Yuasa Batteries in 1957. In 1958, he moved to Furukawa Electric. Furukawa Electric won 1960, 1961 and 1964 Emperor's Cup. In 1965, Furukawa Electric joined new league Japan Soccer League. He played 6 games in the league. He retired in 1966.

In March 1954, when Hiraki was a Kwansei Gakuin University student, he was selected the Japan national team for 1954 World Cup qualification. At this qualification, on March 14, he debuted against South Korea. In 1956, he was selected Japan for 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. He also played at 1954, 1958 and 1962 Asian Games. In 1964, he was selected Japan as captain for 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. However, he could not play in the match for injury. After 1964 Summer Olympics, he retired from national team. He played 30 games and scored 1 goal for Japan until 1962.

In 1962, when Hiraki played for Furukawa Electric, he became a playing manager as Ken Naganuma successor for the club and managed until 1965. He also served an assistant coach for Japan national team and a manager for Japan U-20 national team. In 1968, he participated as a coach in 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City and Japan team won Bronze Medal. In 2018, this team was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame. In 1992, he signed with Nagoya Grampus Eight joined new league J1 League and he managed until 1993.

In 2005, Hiraki was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame. On January 2, 2009, he died of pneumonia in Toyota at the age of 77.