Go Oiwa

Go Oiwa (大岩 剛) is a Japanese manager and former footballer, who is the current head coach of the Japan U23 national football team.

Playing career
Oiwa was born in Shizuoka on June 23, 1972. After graduating from the University of Tsukuba, he joined Nagoya Grampus Eight in 1995. From his first season, he established a centre-back partnership with Alexandre Torres. The club won the 1995 and 1999 Emperor's Cup. In Asia, the club were runners-up in the 1996–97 Asian Cup Winners' Cup. He moved to Júbilo Iwata in September 2000. The club won the 2002 J1 League and were runners-up in the 2000–01 Asian Club Championship. In 2003, he moved to rival club Kashima Antlers, who had competed for the title with Júbilo. He played as a centre-back with Yutaka Akita or Daiki Iwamasa. Although his opportunity to play decreased from 2007, the club were champions for three years in a row (2007–2009). The club also won the 2007 and 2010 Emperor's Cup. He retired at the end of the 2010 season.

On February 5, 2000, Oiwa debuted for Japan national team against Mexico. He played three games for Japan in 2000.

Coaching career
After retirement, Oiwa became a coach for Kashima Antlers in 2011. In May 2017, he became the new manager, succeeding Masatada Ishii. In the 2018 AFC Champions League, he led the team to the final against Persepolis. Oiwa overcame the absence of five injured players, in addition to the fatigue at the end of the season after playing 52 matches, Kashima Antlers beat Persepolis with two goals in the first leg. After a goalless draw in the second leg, the club won the AFC Champions League.

Player

 * Nagoya Grampus Eight
 * Emperor's Cup: 1995, 1999


 * Kashima Antlers
 * J1 League: 2002, 2007, 2008, 2009
 * Emperor's Cup: 2007, 2010
 * A3 Champions Cup: 2003

Manager

 * Kashima Antlers
 * Japanese Super Cup: 2017
 * AFC Champions League: 2018


 * Japan U23
 * AFC U-23 Asian Cup: 2024

Individual

 * J.League Best Eleven: 2001
 * Asian Coach of the Year: 2018