Japanese footballer
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".[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] 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]
