Nakayama, Masashi

Jubilo Iwata & Japan

Birthdate: September 23, 1967
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
Height: 1.78 mts
Weight: 74 kgs
Position: Forward
International: 35 caps, 16 goals (as of July 16, 2000)
World Cups: 1 (1998)
Previous Clubs: Tsukuba University, Yamaha
Transfer Fee: -
Masashi Nakayama seems to have a habit of being in the right place at the right time. In France 98 he was Okada's favoured striker to partner Shoji Jo, coming in ahead of Japanese legend Kazu Miura, Nakayama's close friend. Okada dropped Miura, the former Santos, Genoa and Verdy Kawasaki striker, just days before the squad was supposed to travel from their Swiss training camp to France. Nakayama has a good scoring record for a veteran who is building his career to a climax this summer. Works the defence continually with his runs and lets others exploit the space, he has a good shot and is reasonable in the air.