Courtesy: The AFC.com


Kogure seals Guadalajara move

27 July 2008

TOKYO: Japanese futsal star Kenichiro Kogure’s Spanish adventure continues unabated with the 2006 AFC Futsal Player of the Year moving to Spanish first division club Union Deportivo Guadalajara from Carnicer Torrejon recently.

The 28-year-old Kogure moved to Spain in 2005 after signing up with second division side Clipeus F.S. Nazareno for two seasons during which he made a good impression with 56 appearances resulting in 46 goals.

In 2007, Kogure became the first Japanese player to play in the Spanish first division after a transfer to Carnicer Torrejon but lack of playing time saw him move on a loan to MM Bujalance in the second division in January this year before joining Deportivo.

Kogure was named the best futsal practitioner in Asia two years ago after leading Japan to their only continental title till date in Uzbekistan but despite his top-scoring exploits in this year’s edition in Thailand his team failed to defend the title, losing to archrivals Iran 1-0 in the semi-finals.

The striker is once again tipped to be the goal-machine for Sergio Sapo’s men as they embark on their FIFA World Futsal World Cup (Brazil; September 30-October 19) campaign in a tough group comprising Brazil, Cuba, Russia and the Solomon Islands.






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com