The JFA Mid-Term Plan for 2023-2026Japan Football Hall of Fame
JFA Hall of Fame Inductee
Marius Johan OOFT
Inductees Recommended by the Committee (Special Selection)
- Born in Rotterdam Holland on 27 June 1947
In 1980, during his services at Holland Association for instructing youth players and their instructors, he has a chance to teach Japan high school selection team who come to Europe, which gives him a chance to come to Japan as YAMAHA’s coach in July-August in 1982. Quickly rebuilds the team and brings the team to the 2nd division champion, returns to 1st division and win the title of Emperor’s Cup for the team’s first time. In 1984 to 1988, he leads the Mazda team to 1st division and Sub-champion of Emperor’s Cup.
Due to those excellent performances, appointed Japan National Team Coach in March 1992 as the goal of “bringing the Japan team to World Cup”. With words of “Eye contact”, “Triangle” and “Compact”, he spreads basic football technique not only to the national team, but also Japanese football players entirely, which founds the base of Japanese football style. In August on that year, he successfully brings the team to win the 2nd AFC Dynasty Cup, which is the first official international title since the far-east tournament in 1930, then the title of 10th AFC Asia Cup in Hiroshima in October on the same year which is the first Asian champion title. Although the team misses the chance to go to the Word Cup in October, 1993 at their World Cup Asian qualifier, he successfully maximizes player’s capability and raises the national team to higher level only within 1.5 years, as the first foreigner coach. The National Team successfully beats other Asian teams finally with him, which makes the team to be one of strong Asian teams. His immeasurable results as the national coach includes 18 wins, 11 draws and 9 loss among 38 games.
Those national team performance boosts J League opening and popularity.
After retirement from the national coach, appointed as coaches of Jubilo Iwata, Kyoto Purple Sanga and Urawa Reds. Results of his total of 209 J league games are 100 wins, 12 draws and 97 loss.
