'59 years, 4 months, and 29 days' Japan's Miura scores in official match for the first time in four years... "I moved before the opposing defender"

*This content was translated by AI.

'King Kaz' Kazuyoshi Miura (59, Fukushima United) scored in an official match for the first time in about four years. Even at an age approaching 60, his seasoned ability to find scoring positions before opposing defenders stood out.

Miura scored a goal in the final of the 106th Emperor's Cup Fukushima Prefecture Representative Decision Match against Iwaki Furukawa FC held on the 25th (Korea time) at Toho Minna Stadium in Fukushima, Japan, helping his team Fukushima to a 7-0 victory.

With today's win, Fukushima secured a spot in the Emperor's Cup main tournament. This added further significance as 'Japan football's living legend' Miura also fired up his scoring machine after a long absence.

Miura started the match wearing the captain's armband at the age of 59 years, 4 months, and 29 days. Fukushima scored four goals in the first half alone to lead 4-0 heading into halftime.

Despite his advanced age, Miura continued to play throughout the second half. This was the first time since joining Fukushima that he remained on the field without being substituted after finishing the first half and played through the entire second half.

That choice soon bore fruit. In the 7th minute of the second half, with Fukushima leading 4-0, Miura scored his team's fifth goal. It was his first goal since joining Fukushima and his first official match goal in about four years, dating back to November 12, 2022, during Round 29 of the Japan Football League (JFL) against FC Osaka.

Japanese media Foot Channel reported, "Takatora Nagao received the ball on the right flank and dribbled into the penalty box. After drawing the opposing defense toward himself, he made a low pass in front of the goal." They added, "At that moment, Miura rushed forward to the goal one step ahead of the opposing defender."

They continued, "Miura accurately predicted where the ball would be delivered and finished with a right-footed direct shot. The ball was sucked straight into the net, becoming Fukushima's fifth goal," describing the scoring scene.

Foot Channel explained, "Immediately after the goal, Fukushima players all rushed toward Miura." They added, "Teammates surrounded Miura, creating a large circle of celebration on the field."

Miura was substituted after playing a total of 55 minutes until the 10th minute of the second half. The media reported, "Miura left the field leaving behind his first official goal while wearing the Fukushima jersey."

Fukushima added two more goals afterward to complete the 7-0 victory.

Fukushima is a team belonging to Japan's J3 League. Miura joined Fukushima last year and signed a contract extension in May of this year. The contract period has been extended until May next year.

Born in February 1967, Miura will turn 60 in February next year. Under the current contract, he will continue to play as an active player even after turning 60 years old.

The Japanese J-League has operated its season under a 'spring-autumn system' that starts in spring and ends in autumn, but from this year it will switch to an 'autumn-spring system' that opens in autumn and concludes the following spring. Accordingly, the 2026-2027 season will start this autumn and end next spring.

Miura is a legendary striker who represents Japanese football. He has appeared in 89 A-match games for the Japan national team, scoring 55 goals. Having made his professional debut at Santos in Brazil in 1986, he has now been playing professionally for 40 years this year.

He has experienced stages not only in Japan but also in Brazil, Croatia, Italy, Portugal, and other countries. Although much time has passed, his will to remain an active player has not changed.

Although retirement is discussed every year, Miura's choice has always been the same. This time, he proved his vitality not with words but with a goal. At the age of 59 years, 4 months, and 29 days, he shook the net.

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*This content was translated by AI.