Kazuyoshi Miura

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Miura made his Japan national team debut on 26 September 1990 against Bangladesh during the 1990 Asian Games. In 1992, he played at the 1992 Asian Cup, scoring the winner in a group stage 1–0 win against Iran. Japan won the tournament, and Miura was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. During 1993 World Cup qualification, he played thirteen games and scored thirteen goals, though Japan failed to qualify. He also played at the 1994 Asian Games and the 1995 King Fahd Cup. In the 1996 Asian Cup, Miura scored the second goal in a group stage 4–0 win against Uzbekistan. During qualification for the 1998 World Cup, he scored fourteen times, leading Japan to their first ever World Cup appearance. Despite this, coach Takeshi Okada controversially left Miura out of the World Cup squad. He played for Japan for the first time in two years in February 2000, and played his last national team match later that year.

In Their Own Story

The 1998 World Cup qualifiers were the peak of Miura's international career. He scored fourteen goals during the campaign, carrying Japan to their first ever World Cup. But when the squad was announced for France 1998, his name was missing. Coach Takeshi Okada had left him out. Miura, who had given everything to get Japan there, would not be going. He played his last match for the national team in 2000, finishing with 55 goals in 89 appearances — a record that made him the second most prolific scorer in Japan's history.

Reader's Guide

Kazuyoshi Miura debuted for Japan in September 1990 at the Asian Games. He played as a forward until 1997. His key international moments include: scoring the winner in a 1–0 group stage win against Iran at the 1992 Asian Cup, where Japan won the tournament and Miura was named MVP; scoring thirteen goals in thirteen games during 1994 World Cup qualification; and scoring fourteen goals during 1998 World Cup qualification, leading Japan to their first World Cup. He also played in the 1996 Asian Cup, scoring against Uzbekistan. After being left out of the 1998 World Cup squad, he played his final national team matches in 2000.

Did You Know?

• Miura is the second most prolific goalscorer in Japan national team history with 55 goals in 89 caps, behind Kunishige Kamamoto.
• He was the first Japanese recipient of the IFFHS Asia's Footballer of the Year award.
• Miura scored thirteen goals in thirteen games during 1994 World Cup qualification, but Japan failed to qualify.
• Despite scoring fourteen goals in 1998 World Cup qualification to lead Japan to their first World Cup, coach Takeshi Okada controversially left him out of the squad.
• He was named Most Valuable Player of the 1992 Asian Cup, which Japan won.