Education
University of Tsukuba.
井原 正巳
University of Tsukuba.
The influential defender was captain of the Japan national football team for more than a decade in the 1990s, together with striker Kazuyoshi Miura and Brazilian-born midfielder Ruy Ramos. Ihara"s long standing record of 122 national team appearances was bested by Yasuhito Endo on October 16, 2012 among male football players. (Homare Sawa has surpassed that total among Japanese women).
Ihara was rarely out of the spotlight in the emerging J. League throughout the 1990s.
After graduating from Tsukuba University, Ihara joined Nissan Motors South Carolina (now known as Yokohama F Marinos) and rapidly rose through the Marinos youth ranks to become a key player. The long-serving Ihara was so important to his club that he was nicknamed Mister Marinos by many Japanese fans.
He formed the backbone of the club and also helped to bring on talented youngsters like Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi and Shunsuke Nakamura. During the 1998 World Cup in France, the veteran sweeper"s experience was crucial to Japan"s survival in their very first World Cup appearance, forming a flat back four defence with strong centre-back Yutaka Akita as well as speedy fullbacks Naoki Soma and Akira Narahashi (all from Kashima Antlers).
Young Marinos goalkeeper, Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi was Japan"s first choice goalkeeper at the time.
After leaving Marinos, Ihara also spent a season with Júbilo Iwata and his last 2 seasons with Urawa Red Diamonds prior to becoming a coach. Japan U-23 national football team Assistant coach: 2006-2008 Kashiwa Reysol Assistant coach: 2009- Asian Football player of the Year: 1995 J. 1992 Asian Cup (Champions) 1996 Asian Cup 1998.