Akihiro Endō

Akihiro Endo (遠藤 彰弘) is a Japanese former footballer who played as a midfielder. His younger brother Yasuhito is also a footballer.

Club career
Endō was born in Kagoshima on 18 September 1975. After graduating from high school, he joined Yokohama Marinos (later Yokohama F. Marinos) in 1994. He debuted in 1995 and he played many matches as midfielder after the debut. In 1995, the club won the champions J1 League. From 1999, he became a regular player and the club won 2001 J.League Cup, 2003 and 2004 J1 League. However his opportunity to play decreased in 2005 and he moved to Vissel Kobe in July 2005. He retired end of 2007 season.

International career
In July 1996, Endō was selected to the Japan U-23 national team for the 1996 Summer Olympics. At this tournament, he wore the number 10 shirt for Japan and played the first match against Brazil. Japan won against Brazil, and it was known as the "Miracle of Miami" (マイアミの奇跡) in Japan.