(former name; Nelson Yoshimura, ネルソン 吉村) was a football player and manager. Born in Brazil, he played for the Japan national team.
Club career Yoshimura was born in São Paulo, Brazil on August 16, 1947. He moved to Japan and joined Yanmar Diesel in 1967. He played with Kunishige Kamamoto and so on and leads the team to the greatest era in Yanmar Diesel history. The club won Japan Soccer League champions 4 times and Emperor's Cup 3 times. He retired in 1980. He played 189 games and scored 30 goals in the league. He was selected Best Eleven 4 times.
National team career On August 2, 1970, Yoshimura debuted for Japan national team against South Korea. He was selected Japan for 1974 Asian Games. He also played at 1972 Summer Olympics qualification, 1974 World Cup qualification and 1976 Summer Olympics qualification. He played 46 games and scored 7 goals for Japan until 1976.Japan National Football Team Database
Coaching career After retirement, Yoshimura became a coach for Yanmar Diesel in 1981. In 1990, he was promoted to a manager. He managed until 1993.
On November 1, 2003, Yoshimura died of intracranial hemorrhage in Amagasaki at the age of 56. In 2010, he was selected to the Japan Football Hall of Fame.
Club statistics Club performance League Season Club League Apps GoalsJapan League1967Yanmar DieselJSL Division 171196814319691431970141197114819721451973181197418119751821976172197715219781511979110198000Total18930
National team statistics
Japan national teamYearAppsGoals1970411971621972811973301974721975611976120Total467
Awards Japan Soccer League Best Eleven: (4) 1970, 1971, 1972, 1975 Japan Soccer League Silver Ball (Assist Leader): 1972 Japan Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2010
References
External links
Japan National Football Team Database Japan Football Hall of Fame at Japan Football Association