Koichi Oita (種田 孝一, Oita Koichi, April 9, 1914 – September 11, 1996) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.

Koichi Oita
種田 孝一
Personal information
Full nameKoichi Oita
Date of birth(1914-04-09)April 9, 1914
Place of birthTokyo, Empire of Japan
Date of deathSeptember 11, 1996(1996-09-11) (aged 82)
Place of deathBunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
Height1.74 m (5 ft 8+12 in)
Position(s)Defender, Midfielder
Youth career
????Mito High School
????–1937Tokyo Imperial University
International career
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1936Japan2(0)
Managerial career
1947–1956Sumitomo Metal

National team career

edit
Miracle of Berlin (1936 Olympics 1st round v Sweden on August 4)

Oita was born in Tokyo on April 9, 1914. In 1936, when he was a Tokyo Imperial University student, he was selected Japan national team for 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.[1] At this competition, on August 4, he debuted against Sweden. Although he was a midfielder, he played as a defender. Japan completed a come-from-behind victory against Sweden. The first victory in Olympics for the Japan and the historic victory over one of the powerhouses became later known as "Miracle of Berlin" (ベルリンの奇跡) in Japan. In 2016, this team was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame. On August 7, he also played against Italy. He played 2 games for Japan in 1936.[2]

Coaching career

edit

After retirement, in 1947, Oita became a manager for new club Sumitomo Metal and managed until 1956.

September 11, 1996, Oita died of heart failure in Bunkyo, Tokyo at the age of 82.

National team statistics

edit

[2]

Japan national team
YearAppsGoals
193620
Total20

References

edit
  1. ^ "Koichi Oita". Olympedia. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b Japan National Football Team Database
edit