‘King Kazu’ sets record in J1 again
TOKYO: Kazuyoshi Miura, the 53-yearold Japanese footballer known as ‘King Kazu,’ proved yesterday he was worthy of his crown after setting another record in a J-League first division match.
Miura was in the starting line-up for Yokohama FC’s clash against Kawasaki Frontale, and at 53 years, six months and 28 days old easily smashed the record for oldest-ever J-League first division starter set by Masashi Nakayama in 2012.
Nakayama was a comparative spring chicken when he set the record aged just 45.
Miura has already set records this year, becoming the oldest player in Japan’s league cup competition.
He was named in a J1 squad earlier this month, but stayed on the bench.
Yesterday’s appearance was Miura’s first in a Japanese top flight match since 2007 and garnered plenty of attention
“Impressive! Kazu is my hero,” one of his fans tweeted. “Thanks to him, I became a football fan. He’s forever young.”
Miura, who has been with Yokohama FC since 2005, was subbed after 56 minutes in a match which saw his side lose 3-2.
Miura received an ovation from the 4,723 in attendance when he made way for 19-year-old forward Koki Saito in the 56th minute.
In 2017, Miura became the oldest player to score a goal in a professional match, and insists he won’t hang up his boots until he turns 60.
Miura made his Japan debut in 1990 and was a close call for the country’s first-ever World Cup appearance in 1998, but failed to make the final squad for France despite scoring 55 goals in 89 games for the national side.
Yokohama FC’s starting lineup also featured 42-year-old Shunsuke Nakamura and 39-year-old Daisuke Matsui.
Former Celtic star Nakamura demonstrated his value when he scored with a curling free-kick.
But the night belonged to Kawasaki’s 22-year-old stars Ao Tanaka and Reo Hatate, who bagged a goal and a brace, respectively, to lead the home side to victory.