is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team. His son Shunta Nagai is also a former footballer.
Club career Nagai was born in Saitama on April 16, 1952. After graduating from high school, he joined Furukawa Electric in 1971. The club won the league champions in 1976 and 1985–86. The club also won 1976 Emperor's Cup, 1977, 1982 and 1986 JSL Cup. He retired in 1988. He played 272 games and scored 63 goals in the league. It is the record for most appearances in Japan Soccer League Division 1. In 1976, he was selected Japanese Footballer of the Year awards. He was selected Best Eleven 5 times.
National team career On August 13, 1971, when Nagai was 19 years old, he debuted for Japan national team against Iceland. He also played at 1972 Summer Olympics qualification in 1971. Although, he did not play for Japan in 1972, he was selected Japan for 1974 World Cup qualification in 1973. He also played at 1974, 1978 Asian Games. In 1980, he was selected Japan for 1980 Summer Olympics qualification, Japan's failure to qualify for 1980 Summer Olympics. This qualification was his last game for Japan. He played 69 games and scored 9 goals for Japan until 1980.Japan National Football Team Database
Coaching career After retirement, Nagai became a coach for Furukawa Electric (later JEF United Ichihara) in 1988. In 1989, he became a manager for Japan U-20 national team. In 1992, he returned to JEF United Ichihara and managed until 1993. In 1996, he signed with Japan Football League (JFL) club Fukushima FC and managed in 1 season. In 1998, he signed with JFL club Albirex Niigata. The club joined new league J2 League in 1999. In 2001, he moved to Yokohama FC. In 2006, he signed with his local women's league club Urawa Reds Ladies.
In 2012, Nagai was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame.
Club statistics
Club performance League Season Club League Apps GoalsJapan League1971Furukawa ElectricJSL Division 1102197210019731821974185197518719761851977181419781811979186198017319811561982101198312119841451985/862231986/871401987/88222Total27263
National team statistics
Japan national teamYearAppsGoals197141197200197350197441197511119761721977501978121197993198020Total699
Managerial statistics J.League Data Site TeamFromToRecordGWDLWin %JEF United Ichihara19931993Albirex Niigata19992000Yokohama FC20012001Total
Personal honors Japanese Footballer of the Year - 1976 Japan Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2012
References
External links
Japan National Football Team Database
Japan Football Hall of Fame at Japan Football Association