Tomoo Kudaka

Kudaka was born in Osaka Prefecture on March 14, 1963. After graduating from high school, he joined his local club, the Matsushita Electric (later Gamba Osaka) in 1981. He played as a regular player for a long time. Although the club played in the Prefectural Leagues in 1981, it was promoted to Regional Leagues in 1983 and the Japan Soccer League in 1984. In 1990, the club won the Emperor's Cup, which was the first major title in club history. In 1992, the Japan Soccer League folded and the new J1 League was founded. In 1994, he moved to a rival club in Osaka, Cerezo Osaka in the Japan Football League. He played as a regular player and the club won the championship in 1994 and was promoted to the J1 League. He retired at the end of the 1995 season.

After retirement, Kudaka became a coach at Cerezo Osaka. He mainly coached for youth team. However, in summer 1999, he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He died on September 22, 1999, at the age of 36.