Taizo Kawamoto

Taizo Kawamoto
Personal information
Full name	Taizo Kawamoto
Date of birth	January 17, 1914
Place of birth	Seto, Aichi, Japan
Date of death	September 20, 1985 (aged 71)
Place of death	Osaka, Osaka, Japan
Height	1.72 m (5 ft 7+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Youth career
1926–1930	Ichioka High School
1931–1937	Waseda University
Senior career*
Years	Team
	Waseda WMW
	Osaka SC
National team
1934–1954	Japan
Teams managed
1958	Japan
	* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Taizo Kawamoto (川本泰三, Kawamoto Taizo, January 17, 1914 – September 20, 1985) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for the Japan national team. He also managed Japan national team.

Biography[change | change source]

Kawamoto was born in Seto on January 17, 1914. He played for Waseda WMW which was consisted of his alma mater Waseda University players and graduates. The club won the 2nd place at 1940 Emperor's Cup.

In 1941, Kawamoto served in the military for World War II and was detained in the Soviet Union following the war for 4 years (Japanese prisoners of war in the Soviet Union). In December 1949, when he was 35 years old, he returned to Japan and came back as player at Osaka SC. Osaka SC won the 2nd place at Emperor's Cup 3 times (1951, 1952 and 1953).

In May 1934, when Kawamoto was a Waseda University student, he was selected the Japan national team for Far Eastern Championship Games in Manila. At this competition, on May 13, he debuted and scored a goal against Dutch East Indies. In 1936, he was selected Japan for 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin and scored a goal against Sweden. Japan completed a come-from-behind victory against Sweden. The first victory in Olympics for the Japan and the historic victory over one of the powerhouses became later known as "Miracle of Berlin" (ベルリンの奇跡) in Japan. In 2016, this team was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame.

After World War II, Kawamoto played at 1954 World Cup qualification and 1954 Asian Games. On May 3, 1954, he made history by becoming the oldest player to play for Japan national team at the age of 40 years and 106 days. He played 9 games and scored 4 goals for Japan until 1954. He was also a member of Japan as player and assistant coach for 1956 Summer Olympics, but he did not play in the match.

In 1958, Kawamoto named a manager for Japan national team as Hidetoki Takahashi successor for 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo. At 1958 Asian Games, Japan fought against Philippines and Hong Kong. However Japan lost both games and he resigned after the competition.

On September 20, 1985, Kawamoto died of stomach cancer in Osaka at the age of 71. In 2005, he was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame.