is a Japanese football manager and former player who is the manager of the Japan under-23 national team.
Playing career Ōiwa was born in Shizuoka on June 23, 1972. After graduating from the University of Tsukuba, he joined Nagoya Grampus Eight in 1995. From his first season, he established a centre-back partnership with Alexandre Torres. The club won the 1995 and 1999 Emperor's Cup. In Asia, the club were runners-up in the 1996–97 Asian Cup Winners' Cup. He moved to Júbilo Iwata in September 2000. The club won the 2002 J1 League and were runners-up in the 2000–01 Asian Club Championship. In 2003, he moved to rival club Kashima Antlers, who had competed for the title with Júbilo. He played as a centre-back with Yutaka Akita or Daiki Iwamasa. Although his opportunity to play decreased from 2007, the club were champions for three years in a row (2007–2009). The club also won the 2007 and 2010 Emperor's Cup. He retired at the end of the 2010 season.
On February 5, 2000, Ōiwa debuted for Japan national team against Mexico. He played three games for Japan in 2000.Japan National Football Team Database
Managerial career
After retirement, Ōiwa became a coach for Kashima Antlers in 2011. In May 2017, he became the new manager, succeeding Masatada Ishii. In the 2018 AFC Champions League, he led the team to the final against Persepolis. Ōiwa overcame the absence of five injured players, in addition to the fatigue at the end of the season after playing 52 matches, Kashima Antlers beat Persepolis with two goals in the first leg. After a goalless draw in the second leg, the club won the AFC Champions League.
It was revealed on the 23rd of July 2026 that Gō Ōiwa would take charge of the Japan National Football team in March 2027 with current manager Hajime Moriyasu stepping down.
Career statistics
Club Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps GoalsJapan League Emperor's Cup J.League Cup Asia Total1995Nagoya Grampus EightJ1 League38040--420199627110120-40119973210070-39119983221040-37219992625040-35220001700000-1702000Júbilo IwataJ1 League100010-2020012821170-36320022000060-2602003Kashima AntlersJ1 League29140503041120042903061-38120053003050-38020062711070-35120072005061-3112008180000080260200960200021101201060501000120Total3861035171213150514
International Japan national teamYearAppsGoals200030Total30
Managerial
TeamFromToRecordGWDLWin %Kashima Antlers31 May 20171 January 2020Total
Honours Player Nagoya Grampus Eight Emperor's Cup: 1995, 1999
Kashima Antlers J1 League: 2002, 2007, 2008, 2009 Emperor's Cup: 2007, 2010 A3 Champions Cup: 2003
Manager Kashima Antlers Japanese Super Cup: 2017 AFC Champions League: 2018
Japan U23 AFC U-23 Asian Cup: 2024, 2026
Individual J.League Best Eleven: 2001 Asian Coach of the Year: 2018, 2023
References
External links
Japan National Football Team Database