Tsuneyasu Miyamoto

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Miyamoto's international career began at youth level, playing for Japan U17 in the 1993 U-17 World Championship and Japan U20 in the 1997 World Youth Championship, playing full-time in all matches in both tournaments. He debuted for the senior Japan national team on 18 June 2000 against Bolivia. As a centre back, he became captain for Japan in the 2002 World Cup after an injury to Ryuzo Morioka, who had begun the tournament as captain. He continued to captain his country through the 2004 Asian Cup, where he played full-time in all six matches as Japan won the champions, and the 2006 World Cup. At the 2006 World Cup, he played the first two group matches but was suspended for the third match against Brazil after receiving yellow cards against Australia and Croatia. Yuji Nakazawa wore the armband in his place. That competition was his last game for Japan. He played 71 games and scored three goals for Japan until 2006.

In Their Own Story

At the 2006 World Cup, Miyamoto took the field against Australia knowing the weight of the captain's armband. He had led Japan through the 2002 World Cup after Ryuzo Morioka's injury, and through the 2004 Asian Cup triumph where he played every minute of all six matches. Now in Germany, he faced Croatia in the second group match. A yellow card came his way, his second of the tournament after one against Australia. The suspension meant he would miss the final group match against Brazil. Yuji Nakazawa wore the armband in his place. That match against Brazil became his last appearance for Japan, closing a 71-game international career that included three goals and leadership through two World Cups and one Asian Cup title.

Reader's Guide

Miyamoto's club career started at Gamba Osaka, joining from the youth team in 1995 while continuing his studies at Doshisha University. He initially played as a defensive midfielder before settling as a central defender from the late 1990s. In 2004, though he was the de facto team captain of Gamba Osaka, the coach handed the captaincy to Satoshi Yamaguchi due to Miyamoto's time with the national team. In 2005, the club won the J1 League championship. In December 2006, he signed for one season with Red Bull Salzburg with an option for another, later signing a new deal through 2009. On 15 January 2009, he signed for Vissel Kobe, becoming captain and playing as center-back and defensive midfielder. His playing time decreased from 2010, and on 19 December 2011, he confirmed his retirement in a press conference in Kobe, Japan.

Did You Know?

• Miyamoto is a graduate of the 13th edition of FIFA Master.
• He speaks fluent English and studied German while in Austria.
• He played full-time in all matches for Japan U17 in the 1993 U-17 World Championship and Japan U20 in the 1997 World Youth Championship.
• He was selected for the Japan U23 national team for the 2000 Summer Olympics.
• Miyamoto was named in the AFC Asian Cup Best Eleven for 2004.