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NIPPONIA No.18 September 15, 2001
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Foreign Talent in the J. League
Japan's professional soccer league, the J. League, was launched just eight years ago in 1993, but it has already made quite a name for itself. Much of the credit for this goes to the star players from overseas. They are soccer "ambassadors," demonstrating what it takes physically and mentally on the field to bring soccer in Japan to a world-class level. Just some of these stars are introduced below.
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Zico (from Brazil)
Played for the Kashima Antlers in 1993 and 1994. He exerted great influence as a player, and it is not an overstatement to say that he was the most distinguished master of soccer in Japan.
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Garry Lineker
(from the United Kingdom)
Belonged to the Nagoya Grampus Eight in 1993 and 1994. He scored the most goals during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, but did not work wonders in Japan.
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Ramon Diaz
(from Argentina)
A Yokohama Marinos man from 1993 to 1995. (The club is now called the Yokohama F-Marinos.) During the J. League's first year, he scored more goals than any other player did.
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Pierre Littbarski (from Germany)
Played for Jef United Ichihara from 1993 to 1995. Like Zico, he contributed greatly to the J. League. His stupendous dribbling and right-on-target free kicks won him many fans.
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M. Leonardo
(from Brazil)
Helped make the Kashima Antlers into a powerhouse during his stint with them from 1994 to 1996. Many fans followed his career even after he left the club, perhaps because of his appealing personality.
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Salvatore "Toto"
Schilacci (from Italy)
Played for Jubilo Iwata from 1994 to 1997. He was the top scorer at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, and didn't disappoint his teammates in Japan, racking up 56 goals in J. League games.
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Dragan Stojkovic (from Yugoslavia)
Joined the Nagoya Grampus Eight in 1994. His quicksilver playing earned him the nickname "The Pixy." His talent and often fiery facial expression spurred on his team. He retired in July 2001.
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Guido Buchwald
(from Germany)
Played a pivotal role as a defenseman
for the Urawa Red Diamonds from 1994 to 1997. He was on
the champion team at the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
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Dunga
(from Brazil)
Belonged to Jubilo Iwata from 1995 to
1998. He instilled a true fighting spirit in his team, helping
make it one of the best in Asia
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Patrick M'Boma (from Cameroon)
Played for Gamba Osaka from 1995 to 1998. He scored goal after goal, starting in his very first season in Japan. His lightening movements quickly won him many fans. He was the J. League's top scorer in 1998, and now plays in Europe.
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Michael Laudrup
(from Denmark)
Before coming to Kobe, he played for a number of top European clubs, but he only stayed with Vissel Kobe for six months in 1996-1997.
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Hristo Stoitchkov(from Bulgaria)
Was the top scorer during the 1994 World Cup in the U.S., but did not stand out during his time with Kashiwa Reysol in 1998 and 1999.
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