was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for and later managed the Japan national team.
Club career Kawamoto was born in Seto on January 17, 1914. He played for Waseda WMW, which consisted of players and graduates of his alma mater. The club won second place at the 1940 Emperor's Cup.
In 1941, Kawamoto served in the military during World War II and was detained in the Soviet Union following the war for four years (see Japanese prisoners of war in the Soviet Union). In December 1949, he returned to Japan when he was 35 years old, and became a player at Osaka SC. Osaka SC won second place at the Emperor's Cup three times, in 1951, 1952, and 1953.
National team career Miracle of Berlin (1936 Olympics 1st round v Sweden on August 4) In May 1934, when Kawamoto was a Waseda University student, he was selected Japan national team for 1934 Far Eastern Championship Games in Manila. At this competition, on May 13, he debuted and scored a goal against Dutch East Indies. In 1936, he was selected Japan for 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin and scored a goal against Sweden. Japan completed a come-from-behind victory against Sweden. The first victory in Olympics for the Japan and the historic victory over one of the powerhouses became later known as "Miracle of Berlin" (ベルリンの奇跡) in Japan. In 2016, this team was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame.
After World War II, Kawamoto played at 1954 FIFA World Cup qualification and 1954 Asian Games. He was also a member of Japan as player and assistant coach for 1956 Summer Olympics, but he did not compete. He played 9 games and scored 4 goals for Japan until 1954.Japan National Football Team Database On May 3, 1954, he made history by becoming the oldest player to play for Japan national team at the age of 40 years and 106 days.
Coaching career In 1956, Kawamoto served as assistant coach under manager Shigemaru Takenokoshi for 1956 Summer Olympics. In 1958, Kawamoto named a manager for Japan national team as Hidetoki Takahashi successor for 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo. At the 1958 Asian Games, Japan competed against the Philippines and Hong Kong. However, Japan lost both games and he resigned after the competition.
On September 20, 1985, Kawamoto died of stomach cancer in Osaka at the age of 71. In 2005, he was posthumously selected for the Japan Football Hall of Fame.
National team statistics
Japan national teamYearAppsGoals193432193500193621193700193800193900194011194100194200194300194400194500194600194700194800194900195000195100195200195300195430Total94
National team goals # Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 13 May 1934 Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 1–7 Lost 1934 Far Eastern Championship Games 2. 15 May 1934 Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 4–3 Won 1934 Far Eastern Championship Games 3. 4 August 1936 Hertha-BSC-Platz, Berlin, Germany 3–2 Won 1936 Summer Olympics 4. 16 June 1940 Koshien South Ground, Nishinomiya, Japan 1–0 Won 2600th National Foundation Festival
Honours Japan Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2005
References
External links
Japan National Football Team Database Japan Football Hall of Fame at Japan Football Association Japan Football Hall of Fame (Japan team at 1936 Olympics) at Japan Football Association Profile at Archive.footballjapan.jp