Miura (L) dribles Kawasaki Frontale midfielder Manabu Saito (R)
during the J-League football match between Kawasaki Frontale and
Yokohama FC at Todoroki Athletics stadium in Kawasaki on September
23, 2020. STR / JIJI PRESS / AFP
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Japan’s 53-year-old footballing golden oldie
Kazuyoshi Miura, better known as King Kazu, won plaudits Thursday
for his latest record-setting appearance but said he was
disappointed he didn’t score.
Miura made history on Wednesday night in Yokohama FC’s game
against Kawasaki Frontale, when he became the oldest J-League first
division starter in history.
“King Kazu once again wrote a new chapter in the history of
Japanese football,” the Nikkan Sports daily triumphantly
declared.
Sports Nippon said spectators were hard-pressed to believe the
“valiant performance” was by a 53-year-old.
“Kazu is our pride,” J-League chairman Mitsuru Murai said.
“This great record that will go down in history will be a bright
light… for all active players as well as children dreaming of being
future players,” he added.
“We hope we’ll continue to play outstandingly,” the 61-year-old
said.
Miura, who has been with Yokohama FC since 2005, was subbed
after 56 minutes in a match which saw his side lose 3-2.
He received a standing ovation as he left the pitch, but said
afterwards he was disappointed by his performance.
“I was able to receive the ball in the middle of the pitch but
couldn’t work a lot around the penalty area, which made me feel
that I left something to be desired,” he said after the game.
“I want to make use of today’s experience for the next
competitions in the league.”
Kazu has been setting age records for some time, and he became
the oldest man to play in Japan’s league cup competition earlier
this year.
In 2017, he became the oldest player to score in a professional
match.
He has insisted he won’t hang up his boots until he turns 60,
and he continues to be a massive draw for fans in both Japan and
abroad.
His latest record even earned attention from FIFA’s official
Twitter account.
“All hail King Kazu,” it tweeted, complete with crown
emojis.