is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder or forward. He played for the Japan national team.
Club career Okano was born in Yokohama on 25 July 1972. After dropped out from Nihon University, he joined Urawa Reds in 1994. In 1990s, he played as forward in many matches from first season. In 2001 season, his opportunity to play decreased and he moved to Vissel Kobe in September. He played as midfielder from then. He returned to Urawa Reds in 2004. The club won the champions 2006 J1 League, 2005 and 2006 Emperor's Cup. In Asia, the club won 2007 AFC Champions League. In 2009, he moved to Hong Kong First Division League club TSW Pegasus. In July 2009, he returned to Japan and joined Japan Football League club Gainare Tottori. The club won the champions in 2010 and was promoted to J2 League. He retired at the end of the 2013 season.
International career In January 1995, he was selected by the Japan national team for the 1995 King Fahd Cup, but he did not play. On 20 September 1995, he debuted for the Japan national team against Paraguay. In 1996, he played at the 1996 Asian Cup. During 1998 World Cup qualification, in the final qualifier match for the 1998 World Cup against Iran, he scored the golden goal that took Japan to their first ever World Cup finals. At the 1998 World Cup, he played 29 minutes as a substitute against Croatia. He also played at the 1999 Copa America. This competition was his last game for Japan. He played 25 games and scored 2 goals for Japan until 1999.Japan National Football Team Database
Career statistics
Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionGainare TottoriClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupAsiaTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsUrawa Reds1994J1 League3533020–403199544530––4751996301132132–461519972342100–25519983472100–36819991100040–1502000J2 League2664120–3272001J1 League800010–90Total211361752220025043Vissel Kobe2001J1 League1132000–13320022411050–30120032302061–311Total5845011100745Urawa Reds2004J1 League1512082–25320052014070–3112006802060–160200711010106019020084000300070Total5829025260984TSW Pegasus2008/09First Division914010–141Gainare Tottori2009Football League7110––81201016000––1602011J2 League13010––140201220000––200201310010––110Total661300000691Career total402443855956050554
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsJapan1995301996111199751199850199910Total252
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Okano goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Masayuki OkanoNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 25 August 1996 Nagai Stadium, Osaka, Japan 5–3 5–3 Friendly2 16 November 1997 Larkin Stadium, Johor Bahru, Malaysia 3–2 3–2 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification AFC play-off
Honours Urawa Red Diamonds AFC Champions League: 2007 J1 League: 2006 Emperor's Cup: 2005, 2006 Japanese Super Cup: 2006
Gainare Tottori Japan Football League: 2010
Individual J.League Best XI: 1996 J.League Fair Play Award: 1996
Professional wrestling championships DDT Pro-Wrestling: Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship (1 time)
Notes
References
External links
Japan National Football Team Database
Masayuki Okano Blog (Japanese)