Junichi Inamoto
Inamoto playing for Kawasaki Frontale in 2010
Personal information
Full name Junichi Inamoto[1]
Date of birth (1979-09-18) 18 September 1979[1]
Place of birth Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder[3]
Team information
Current team
 Nankatsu SC
Number 8
Youth career
1992–1997 Gamba Osaka
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2004 Gamba Osaka 118 (16)
2001–2002 → Arsenal (loan) 0 (0)
2002–2004 → Fulham (loan) 41 (4)
2004–2006 West Bromwich Albion 28 (0)
2004–2005 → Cardiff City (loan) 14 (0)
2006–2007 Galatasaray 25 (0)
2007–2009 Eintracht Frankfurt 43 (0)
2009–2010 Rennes 5 (0)
2010–2014 Kawasaki Frontale 99 (3)
2015–2018 Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 47 (1)
2019–2021 SC Sagamihara 19 (1)
2022– Nankatsu SC 2 (0)
International career
1995 Japan U-17 3 (0)
1998–1999 Japan U-20 11 (4)
1998–2000 Japan U-23 15 (5)
2000–2010 Japan 82 (5)
Medal record
Representing  Japan
FIFA Confederations Cup
Silver medal – second place2001 Korea-Japan
AFC Asian Cup
Gold medal – first place2000 Lebanon
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Silver medal – second place1999 Nigeria
AFC U-19 Championship
Silver medal – second place1998 Thailand
AFC U-16 Championship
Gold medal – first place1994 Qatar
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14 October 2022

Junichi Inamoto (稲本 潤一, Inamoto Jun'ichi, born 18 September 1979) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Nankatsu SC.[4] He is a retired international for the Japan national team.

Club career

Inamoto was born in Kagoshima Prefecture.[3] He played for Japanese club Gamba Osaka during his last year of high school, signing with the club in 1997. In April of that year, at the age of 17, he made his debut in the 1997 J.League season,[4] making him the youngest player in the J.League (at that time).[5] He played for Gamba until summer 2001 and played 118 matches in the J1 League.[4] He was then one of many high-profile transfers of Asian players to Europe, signing with Arsenal of the Premier League. Inamoto scored two goals for the Japan national team at the 2002 World Cup, but had already been released by Arsenal shortly before the tournament began.[6] He was then signed by Fulham on a long-term loan deal from Gamba Osaka.[7] Initially he settled well at the London club,[8] garnering good notices as a tough-tackling midfielder with an eye for a spectacular goal. He became a fan favourite quickly, scoring four goals over the two legs of Fulham's Intertoto Cup final win against Bologna, scoring once in the first leg[9] and a hat trick in the second.[10] Other notable goals he scored in his time for Fulham include goals against Tottenham Hotspur,[11] Sunderland,[12] Middlesbrough[13] and also in the 3–1 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford in October 2003.[14] He also scored in the FA Cup against Everton[15] which commentator Barry Davies described as "a Japanese peach". Inamoto was also described as "bigger than Beckham" by the Japanese media.[16] However, he sustained a fractured tibia in an international friendly against England, and returned to Gamba Osaka to do promotional work. Fulham were interested in signing him once more, but concerns remained over his recovery from injury.[17][18]

Inamoto signed with West Bromwich Albion for a decidedly small £200,000 transfer fee, which was only to be paid once he had made an appearance for the Midlands club.[19] However, Gary Megson departed as West Bromwich Albion manager shortly afterwards, and successor Bryan Robson was unsure of the player. Inamoto was loaned to Cardiff City for the latter part of the 2004–05 season,[20] and impressed, being recalled to play a role in West Brom's survival campaign in the Premiership. In 2005–06 he was a regular in the West Brom side, and was called up to the Japan squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the first Albion player to play in the tournament for 20 years. While at West Brom Inamoto scored once, an extra time winner in a League Cup tie against former club Fulham on 25 October 2005.[21]

On 31 August 2006, he signed for Galatasaray.[22] On 29 May 2007, it was revealed that he signed a two-year contract with German club Eintracht Frankfurt, joining on a free transfer.[23] Inamoto was presented in a press conference joining fellow Japanese striker Naohiro Takahara in Frankfurt and was released on 30 May 2009. On 19 June 2009, French Ligue 1 side Rennes announced that Inamoto had signed a contract with them.[24]

Inamoto signed for J1 League club Kawasaki Frontale on 11 January 2010 in a move back to his homeland. He played for Frontale for 5 seasons. He left at the end of the 2014 season.[25] Inamoto then subsequently featured for Consadole Sapporo (later Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo) in the J2 League. Consadole won the 2016 season and was promoted to J1.[26] However he could only play single-digit matches every season from the 2016 season onward.[4] He resigned at the end of the 2018 season.[27] In 2019, he signed with J3 League club SC Sagamihara.[28]

International career

In August 1995, Inamoto was selected for Japan national under-17 football team for the 1995 U-17 World Championship. He played all three matches.[29] In April 1999, he was selected for Japan under-20 national football team for the 1999 World Youth Championship.[29] At this tournament, he played three matches as Japan finished second.

On 5 February 2000, Inamoto debuted for the Japan national team under manager Philippe Troussier against Mexico.[30] After his debut, Inamoto played ten matches or more every year under Troussier.[30]

In September 2000, Inamoto was selected for Japan U-23 national team for 2000 Summer Olympics. He played the full game in all four matches and scored a goal against Slovakia.[29]

In 2000, Inamoto played at the 2000 Asian Cup. He played four matches[30] as Japan won the championship. In 2001, he also played at the 2001 Confederations Cup. He played four matches[30] as Japan finished second. In 2002, he was selected by Japan for the 2002 World Cup. He played all four matches and scored two goals against Belgium in the first match and Russia in the second match. Japan qualified for the knockout stage for the first time in their history.

After the 2002 World Cup, Inamoto played at the 2003 and the 2005 Confederations Cup.[30] In 2006, he was selected by Japan for the 2006 World Cup. He played two matches as Japan was eliminated at the group stage.

After the 2006 World Cup, due to generational change, Inamoto was not selected for Japan again until June 2007.[30] After that, he played several matches every year. In 2010, he was selected for the 2010 World Cup. He played two matches[30] as Japan qualified for the knockout stage. This World Cup would mark Inamoto’s last game for Japan. In total, he played 82 games and scored 5 goals for the national side.[30]

Career statistics

Club

As of 14 October 2022[4][31]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Gamba Osaka1997J1 League2733060–363
19982861040–336
19992212000–241
20002842041–345
20011320030–162
Total1181680171–14317
Arsenal (loan)2001–02Premier League0000202040
Fulham (loan)2002–03Premier League192202010[lower-alpha 1]4336
2003–042222110–253
Total4144130104589
West Bromwich Albion2004–05Premier League300000–30
2005–06Premier League2202021–261
2006–07Championship300000–30
Total2802021–321
Cardiff City (loan)2004–05Championship1402000–160
Galatasaray2006–07Süper Lig25030–51331
Eintracht Frankfurt2007–08Bundesliga24020––260
2008–0919010––200
Total43030––460
Rennes2009–10Ligue 1500000–50
Kawasaki Frontale2010J1 League280204050390
20111221010–142
20122001030–240
201325030100–360
2014141101030191
Total99380200801353
Consadole Sapporo2015J2 League31010––320
2016J2 League8100––81
2017J1 League600000–60
2018201050–80
Total4712050–540
SC Sagamihara2019J3 League9100––91
20201000––10
2021J2 League9020––110
Nankatsu SC2022Kanto Soccer League2000––20
Career total 4412534149225554933
  1. ↑ Includes appearances in the Intertoto Cup

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[30]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Japan 2000140
2001111
2002112
2003101
200460
2005100
200640
200730
200820
200941
201080
Total825
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Inamoto goal.
List of international goals scored by Junichi Inamoto
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
14 July 2001Ōita, Japan Yugoslavia1–0Friendly match
24 June 2002Saitama, Japan Belgium2–22002 FIFA World Cup Group Stage
39 June 2002Yokohama, Japan Russia1–02002 FIFA World Cup Group Stage
428 March 2003Tokyo, Japan Uruguay2–2Friendly match
59 September 2009Utrecht, Netherlands Ghana4–3Friendly match

Honours

Fulham

Hokkaido Consodale Sapporo

Japan U17

Japan U20

Japan

Individual

  • J.League Best Eleven: 2000

References

  1. 1 2 "Juni̇chi̇ İnamoto". Turkish Football Federation. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  2. ↑ "Junichi Inamoto: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Junichi Inamoto". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Junichi Inamoto at J.League (archive) (in Japanese)
  5. ↑ goal.com
  6. ↑ "Arsenal release Inamoto". BBC Sport. 10 June 2002. Retrieved 30 April 2007.
  7. ↑ "Inamoto joins". Fulham F.C. 15 July 2002. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  8. ↑ "Inamoto gears up". Fulham F.C. 23 July 2002. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  9. ↑ "Fulham force draw". BBC Sport. 13 August 2002. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  10. ↑ "Fulham clinch Euro glory". BBC Sport. 27 August 2002. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  11. ↑ "Fulham stun Spurs". BBC Sport. 11 September 2002. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  12. ↑ "Inamoto sees off Sunderland". BBC Sport. 14 September 2002. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  13. ↑ "Fulham hold on for win". BBC Sport. 16 August 2003. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  14. ↑ "Fulham stun Man Utd". BBC Sport. 25 October 2003. Retrieved 14 August 2009.
  15. ↑ "Fulham 2–1 Everton (aet)". BBC Sport. 4 February 2004. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  16. ↑ "Bigger than Beckham". Fulham F.C. 24 August 2002. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  17. ↑ "Inamoto to leave Fulham". BBC Sport. 29 July 2004. Retrieved 30 April 2007.
  18. ↑ "Inamoto signs extension". Fulham F.C. 8 May 2003. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  19. ↑ "Inamoto signs for West Brom". BBC Sport. 31 August 2004. Retrieved 30 April 2007.
  20. ↑ "Cardiff snap up Inamoto on loan". BBC Sport. 23 December 2004. Retrieved 30 April 2007.
  21. ↑ "Fulham 2–3 West Brom (aet)". BBC Sport. 25 October 2005. Retrieved 22 April 2010.
  22. ↑ "Inamoto leaves Baggies for Turkey". BBC Sport. 1 September 2006. Retrieved 30 April 2007.
  23. ↑ "Inamoto kommt" (in German). kicker. 29 May 2007. Retrieved 29 May 2007.
  24. ↑ "Junichi Inamoto rejoint le Stade Rennais F.C." (in French). staderennais.com. 19 June 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2009.
  25. ↑ Kawasaki Frontale (in Japanese)
  26. ↑ J.League
  27. ↑ Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo Archived 1 October 2019 at the Wayback Machine(in Japanese)
  28. ↑ SC Sagamihara(in Japanese)
  29. 1 2 3 Junichi Inamoto – FIFA competition record (archived)
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Japan National Football Team Database
  31. ↑ "Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo". Archived from the original on 1 October 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  32. ↑ "Fulham force draw". BBC Sport. 13 August 2002. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
    "Fulham clinch Euro glory". BBC Sport. 27 August 2002. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  33. ↑ "J. Inamoto". Soccerway.com.
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