is a former Japanese football player.
Playing career Hirai was born in Kyoto on July 16, 1978. He joined J1 League club Kyoto Purple Sanga (later Kyoto Sanga FC) in 1997. He could not play at all in the match behind Shigetatsu Matsunaga until early 2000. He became a regular goalkeeper from the middle of 2000. However the club was relegated to J2 League end of 2000 season. Although he lost regular position behind Masahiko Nakagawa from the middle of 2001,J.League the club returned to J1 League in a year. From 2002, he became a regular goalkeeper again and the club won the champions 2002 Emperor's Cup first major title in club history. After that, although the club results were bad, he played many matches until 2007. However the club gained Yuichi Mizutani in 2008 and Hirai he could hardly play in the match behind Mizutani. He retired end of 2010 season. In September 2017, when he coached Renofa Yamaguchi FC, he was registered as player because many goalkeeper could not play in the match.J.League However he did not play in the match and his registration was deleted a week later.J.League In March 2018, when he coached Kataller Toyama, he was registered as player because many goalkeeper could not play for injury.J.League However he did not play in the match and his registration was deleted in April.J.League
Coaching career After retirement, Hirai started coaching career at Kyoto Sanga FC in 2011. He served as goalkeeper coach until 2012. In 2013, he moved to Ehime FC and coached until 2014. In 2015, he returned to Kyoto. In 2017, he moved to Renofa Yamaguchi FC. In 2018, he moved to Kataller Toyama.
Club statistics Club performance League Cup League Cup Total Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Japan League Emperor's Cup J.League Cup Total1997Kyoto Purple SangaJ1 League00000000199800000000199900000000200015010802402001J2 League15000001502002J1 League2605060370200328010403302004J2 League26010-270200539000-3902006J1 League18000402202007Kyoto Sanga FCJ2 League33000-3302008J1 League80003011020090000000020105000501002017Renofa Yamaguchi FCJ2 League0000-002018Kataller ToyamaJ3 League0000-00 Career total2130803002510
References
External links