is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder or forward. He played for the Japan national team. Club career Okano was born in Yokohama on 25 July 1972. After dropped out from Nihon University, he joined Urawa Reds in 1994. In 1990s, he played as forward in many matches from first season. In 2001 season, his opportunity to play decreased and he moved to Vissel Kobe in September. He played as midfielder from then. He returned to Urawa Reds in 2004. The club won the champions 2006 J1 League, 2005 and 2006 Emperor's Cup. In Asia, the club won 2007 AFC Champions League. In 2009, he moved to Hong Kong First Division League club TSW Pegasus. In July 2009, he returned to Japan and joined Japan Football League club Gainare Tottori. The club won the champions in 2010 and was promoted to J2 League. He retired end of 2013 season. International career In January 1995, he was selected by the Japan national team for the 1995 King Fahd Cup, but he did not play. On 20 September 1995, he debuted for the Japan national team against Paraguay. In 1996, he played at the 1996 Asian Cup. During 1998 World Cup qualification, in the final qualifier match for the 1998 World Cup against Iran, he scored the golden goal that took Japan to their first ever World Cup finals. At the 1998 World Cup, he played 29 minutes as a substitute against Croatia. He also played at the 1999 Copa America. This competition was his last game for Japan. He played 25 games and scored 2 goals for Japan until 1999. Career statistics Club International Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Okano goal. Honours Urawa Red Diamonds AFC Champions League: 2007 J1 League: 2006 Emperor's Cup: 2005, 2006 Japanese Super Cup: 2006 Gainare Tottori Japan Football League: 2010 Individual J.League Best XI: 1996 J.League Fair Play Award: 1996 Professional wrestling championships DDT Pro-Wrestling: Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship (1 time) Notes References External links Japan National Football Team Database Masayuki Okano Blog (Japanese) 1972 births Living people Nihon University alumni Association football people from Kanagawa Prefecture Japanese footballers Japan international footballers Japanese expatriate footballers J1 League players J2 League players Japan Football League players Urawa Red Diamonds players Vissel Kobe players TSW Pegasus FC players Gainare Tottori players 1995 King Fahd Cup