Mitsuhisa Taguchi

Mitsuhisa Taguchi
Personal information
Full name	Mitsuhisa Taguchi
Date of birth	February 14, 1955
Place of birth	Akita, Akita, Japan
Date of death	November 12, 2019 (aged 64)
Place of death	Tokyo, Japan
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Youth career
1970–1972	Akita Commercial High School
Senior career*
Years	Team
1973–1984	Mitsubishi Motors
Total
National team
1975–1984	Japan
Honours
Mitsubishi Motors
	* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Mitsuhisa Taguchi (田口光久, Taguchi Mitsuhisa, February 14, 1955 – November 12, 2019) was a Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.

Biography

Taguchi was born in Akita on February 14, 1955. After graduating from Akita Commercial High School, he joined Japan Soccer League club Mitsubishi Motors in 1973. In 1973, the club won the champions at Japan Soccer League and Emperor's Cup. In 1975, he debuted as a starting goalkeeper for Japan national team, replacing established starter Kenzo Yokoyama.

In 1978, Taguchi was part of one of the club's most successful seasons, winning the Japanese treble; Japan Soccer League, JSL Cup and Emperor's Cup. The club also won 1980 Emperor's Cup, 1981 JSL Cup and 1982 Japan Soccer League. He retired in 1984. He played 161 games in the league. He was selected Best Eleven 8 times included for 7 years in a row (1977-1983).

On September 8, 1975, Taguchi debuted for the Japan national team against South Korea. In 1977, he became a regular goalkeeper and played at 1978 World Cup qualification, 1978 Asian Games and 1980 Summer Olympics qualification. From 1982, he became a captain and played at 1982 Asian Games and 1984 Summer Olympics qualification. He played 59 games for Japan until 1984.

Following his retirement from playing career, Taguchi worked as a coach for several high school teams, including those at Aomori Yamada High School and Kokusai Gakuin High School.

On November 12, 2019, Taguchi died of respiratory failure in Tokyo Metropolis at the age of 64.^[1]^[2]

Statistics

^[3]

Club statistics			League
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals
Japan			League
1973	Mitsubishi Motors	JSL Division 1	1	0
1974			0	0
1975			16	0
1976			18	0
1977			18	0
1978			18	0
1979			18	0
1980			18	0
1981			18	0
1982			18	0
1983			18	0
1984			0	0
Country	Japan		161	0
Total			161	0