Japanese footballer and manager
Daiki Iwamasa (岩政 大樹, Iwamasa Daiki, born 30 January 1982) is a Japanese professional football manager and former player, who is currently the manager of V.League 1 club Hanoi FC. He also played for the Japan national team.
Club career
Iwamasa was born in Suo-Oshima, Yamaguchi on 30 January 1982. He was educated at and played for Iwakuni High School and Tokyo Gakugei University before turning professional. He started his professional career at Kashima Antlers where he later became one of the club's longest serving players. He became a regular player at center back from late first season. The club won the champions in J1 League for three years in a row (2007–2009) first time in J1 League history. He was also elected Best XI for three years in a row. The club also won 2007, 2010 Emperor's Cup, 2011 and 2012 J.League Cup. His opportunity to play decreased in 2013 and he left the club end of 2013 season.
In 2014, he moved to BEC Tero Sasana, Thailand, and helped the club win 2014 Thai League Cup in which he scored a goal in the final match. In 2015, he returned to Japan, playing for Fagiano Okayama. In 2017, he moved to Regional Leagues club Tokyo United FC. He retired at the end of the 2018 season.
International career
Iwamasa was the captain of the Japan team that won the 2003 Summer Universiade held in Daegu, South Korea, where he scored a goal in the final of the tournament. He received the first call-up for Japan national team in 2008 by newly appointed coach Takeshi Okada. On 10 October 2009, he made his international debut in a friendly match against Scotland. He was also one of the final 23 Japan national football players participating in 2010 FIFA World Cup although did not play any minute during the tournament. After 2010 World Cup, in January 2011, he was selected Japan for 2011 AFC Asian Cup by new manager Alberto Zaccheroni. At 2011 Asian Cup, he played in four matches and Japan won the champions. He played eight games for Japan until 2011.[1]
Managerial career
Iwamasa's first managerial appointment was in 2017 as player-coach for Tokyo United FC. After retiring as a player in 2018, in 2021 he became manager of Jobu University's football team.[2] For the 2022 season, Iwamasa became the assistant manager of Kashima Antlers and took charge of a number of games whilst new manager René Weiler awaited entry to the country due to COVID-19 quarantine restrictions.[3] In August 2022, it was announced that Iwamasa would be promoted to manager of Kashima Antlers following the departure of Weiler.[4]
The first game in the charge was 2-0 home win by J1 League against Avispa Fukuoka in 14 August 2022. But the in the nine games after. only one win against Vissel Kobe in Emperor's Cup, the team was knocked out by second tier team Ventforet Kofu after defeat by 1-0. Ending the season in fourth place, three points behind of the AFC Champions League slots ocupped by Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
The 2023 Season starts with an away victory over Kyoto Sanga by 0-2. The first match in home was a defeat against current runners-up Kawasaki Frontale by 1-2. Follow this, the team collected mixed results, in Emperor's Cup was knocked out by the defending champions. Ventforet Kofu for second time in a row after 1-1 tie, the team lost 10-11 in the penalty shootout. Follow the end of campaign Antlers only won one (the Last match against relegated team Yokohama FC.), end the aspirations for qualified to AFC Tournaments after 3-1 defeat against Vissel Kobe.
On 5 December 2023 the board announced the Iwamasa's contract wasn't renewed for the 2024 season. [5]
On 11 January 2024, Iwamasa was named as the manager of V.League 1 club Hanoi FC.[6]
