Kazuo scores two goals at age 59, etching his name in Japanese football history

Veteran Japanese striker Kazuyoshi Miura, aged 59, scored two penalty kicks on Wednesday, becoming the oldest goalscorer in the history of the Emperor’s Cup, Japan’s most prestigious domestic football competition.

Known as “King Kazu,” Miura is playing his 42nd season in professional football. He played a key role in Fukushima United FC’s dominant 7-0 victory over amateur side Oyama Soccer Club in the 106th edition of the Emperor’s Cup.

Miura had also scored during the preliminary rounds of the tournament in late July.

This marks the first time Miura has scored more than one goal in a single match since netting for Australian club Sydney FC in November 2005.

Miura explained that he practices penalty kicks almost daily after team training sessions.

Speaking to journalists after achieving this milestone, he said, “No one knows when his opportunity will come, so I keep practicing them constantly. I’m glad it paid off.”

These two goals broke the previous record for the oldest goalscorer in Emperor’s Cup history, which was held by former Japanese international Shinji Ono, who was 41 at the time.

Miura scored his first penalty in the 12th minute and added the second in the 55th minute.

Miura began his career in 1986 with Brazilian club Santos, the team associated with star Neymar, before pursuing professional careers in Italy, Croatia, Australia, Portugal, and other countries.

The player helped boost the popularity of football in Japan following the launch of the J.League in 1993.

He made his debut for the Japanese national team in 1990 but was left out of Japan’s squad for the 1998 World Cup, the tournament in which Japan made its debut in the finals, despite scoring 55 goals in 89 international appearances.