Kenichi Uemura
Kenichi Uemura is a former Japanese football player and manager known for his defensive skills on the field.
He represented Japan at the 1996 Summer Olympics, scoring a goal against Hungary in the group stage.
Uemura was part of the Japan team that finished as runners-up in the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Biography
Early Life
Kenichi Uemura was born on April 22, 1974, in Yatsushiro, Japan. He began his journey in football at Matsunaga High School, where he honed his skills and developed a passion for the sport that would shape his future.
Career
Uemura's professional career kicked off in 1993 when he joined Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the J1 League. He made an immediate impact, breaking into the first team during his debut season. His first league appearance was on July 4, 1993, against Verdy Kawasaki, and he scored his first professional goal shortly after on July 24, 1993, against Urawa Reds. Over the next eleven years, he became a key defender for the team, although injuries plagued his career, leading to multiple surgeries on his knee ligaments.
In 2004, Uemura transferred to Cerezo Osaka, followed by stints at Tokyo Verdy and YSCC Yokohama. He concluded his playing career with Roasso Kumamoto in 2008. Uemura also represented the Japan national team, earning his first cap in 2001 and participating in the FIFA Confederations Cup, where Japan finished as runners-up.
Coaching Career
After retiring from professional play, Uemura transitioned into coaching, starting with Roasso Kumamoto in 2009. He later joined Kamatamare Sanuki, where he served as an assistant coach before becoming the head coach in 2019 after the previous manager's departure. Uemura's experience as a player has greatly influenced his coaching philosophy and approach to developing young talent in Japanese football.
Collected from open sources (2) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Career & Clubs
He represented the Japan U-23 national team at the 1996 Summer Olympics. He played in 2 matches. He scored a goal in a group stage match against Hungary. Although Japan won 2 matches, Japan exited in the first round. Japan beat Brazil in their first game. It was known as the "Miracle of Miami" (マイアミの奇跡) in Japan. In April 2001, Uemura was selected by the Japan national team. National team manager Philippe Troussier gave him his first full international cap on April 25 in a friendly against Spain in Córdoba. He was a member of the Japan team for the 2001 Confederations Cup. He played three games and Japan won second place. He played 4 games for Japan in 2001.
After the retirement, Uemura started coaching career at J2 League club Roasso Kumamoto in 2009. In 2013, he moved to J2 club Kamatamare Sanuki and served as coach under manager Makoto Kitano. However the club was relegated to J3 League end of 2018 season. In 2019, Uemura became a manager as Kitano successor.
Uemura was born in Yatsushiro on April 22, 1974. After graduating from Matsunaga High School, he joined J1 League side Sanfrecce Hiroshima in 1993. He broke into the first team in the first season. His first league appearance came on July 4, 1993 against Verdy Kawasaki at Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium. He scored his first professional goal on July 24, 1993 against Urawa Reds at Hiroshima Stadium. He played in many matches as defender from his first season, except at times when he was injured. After 11 year's long service at Sanfrecce Hiroshima, he moved to Cerezo Osaka in 2004, then Tokyo Verdy (2005–2006). After a brief spell at YSCC Yokohama, he joined Rosso Kumamoto (later Roasso Kumamoto) in 2007. He damaged his knee ligaments three times and experienced seven operations. These injuries have affected his form. Uemura retired from professional football after the 2008 season.
- Club
- Cerezo Osaka (2004–2004)
- Club
- Roasso Kumamoto (2007–2008)
- Club
- Sanfrecce Hiroshima (1993–2004)
- Club
- YSCC Yokohama (2006–2006)
- Club
- Tokyo Verdy (2005–2006)
- Club
- Japan men's national football team (2001–2001)
- National team
- Japan
Legacy
Clubs
- Sanfrecce Hiroshima1993–2004
- Japan men's national football team2001–2001
- Cerezo Osaka2004–2004
- Tokyo Verdy2005–2006
- YSCC Yokohama2006–2006
- Roasso Kumamoto2007–2008
Played together with
- Adaílson Pereira CoelhoTokyo Verdy · 2014–2014
- Adebayo AdigunTokyo Verdy · 2010–2011
- Ademar da Silva Braga JúniorCerezo Osaka · 1995–1995
Adriano Ferreira MartinsCerezo Osaka · 2010–2010
Akihiro IenagaCerezo Osaka · 2010–2010- Akihiro NishimuraCerezo Osaka · 1981–1991
- Akihiro SakataCerezo Osaka · 2007–2009
- Akihiro SatoSanfrecce Hiroshima · 2005–2010
- Akimasa TsukamotoCerezo Osaka
- Akinobu YokouchiSanfrecce Hiroshima · 1986–1995
- Akinori NishizawaCerezo Osaka · 1995–2000
- Akinori NishizawaCerezo Osaka · 2001–2001
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Kenichi Uemura is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for the Japan national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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