13 Takashi Hirano Position: MF Born:15-Jul-1974 Height/Weight:180/73 Birthplace:Shizuoka Previous Teams: Iida Jr.High, Shimizu Shogyo HS, Nagoya Grampus, Kyoto Purple Sanga, Jubilo Iwata, Kyoto Purple Sanga, Vissel Kobe, Tokyo Verdy, Yokohama Marinos, Omiya Ardija, Vancouver Whitecaps Appearances (J1/J2):352/0 Goals: 54/0 First Appearance: 19-Jun-1993 Nagoya Grampus - vs - Kashima Antlers (at Mizuho Stadium) First Goal : 23-Jun-1993 Nagoya Grampus - vs - Yokohama Flugels (at Suizenji Stadium)

J.League Statistics Year Team Matches Goals 1993 Nagoya Grampus 19 4 1994 Nagoya Grampus 36 4 1995 Nagoya Grampus 50 9 1996 Nagoya Grampus 29 7 1997 Nagoya Grampus 21 4 1998 Nagoya Grampus 30 8 1999 Nagoya Grampus 28 7< 2000- Nagoya Grampus 9 0 -2000 Kyoto Purple Sanga 7 1 2001 Jubilo Iwata 3 0 2002 Vissel Kobe 28 1 2003 Tokyo Verdy 25 4 2004 Tokyo Verdy 28 4 2005 Tokyo Verdy 27 0 2006 Yokohama Marinos 9 0 2007 Omiya Ardija 12 1 TOTAL 352 54

Takashi Hirano started his J.League career with Nagoya Grampus in 1993. He quickly earned a spot as a regular starter for Nagoya, and within about three years he was viewed as one of the team leaders and locker-room organizers, contributing greatly to the spirit of team harmony at Grampus. His career blossomed in the years leading up to the 1998 World Cup, as Hirano displayed the ability to create instant results as a substitute, and established himself as a the "first man off the bench". The highlight of his national team career came in a match against Australia, six months prior to the World Cup, when Hirano came off the banch in the 63 minute and proceeded to score twice and turn a close-fought match into a stirring victory for Japan. He also made appearances as a substitute in two of Japan's three World Cup matches in France. However, just as Hirano's career seemed to be reaching its peak, a scandal dealt him a crushing setback from which he nefer fully recovered. In 2000, Nagoya Grampus was going through a very difficult spell, with fans despairing at the team's inability to bring home a championship despite a star-studded roster. At the beginning of the season, Joao Carlos -- who had led the Kashima Antlers to their first J.League championship in 1996 -- took over as head coach. He immediately set out to whip the players into shape. Unfortunately, the coach failed to win the respect and loyalty of his players, and when his harsh coaching tactics produced only turmoil and even worse results on the pitch, many of the Nagoya old-timers became disaffected. Midway through the season several players were so discouraged that they were on the point of revolt. Three in particular -- Hirano, Shigeyoshi Mochizuki, and Go Oiwa -- argued that the players should simply ignore the coach's instructions and play the way that they though best. Unfortunately, their timing could not have been worse. Joao Carlos walked in as heated opinions were still being exchanged, and demanded to know what was going on. Though the disaffection was widespread, and many would comment later that these three may not have deserved to be singled out as "ringleaders", the coach saw that the only way to maintain discipline in the club was to sent them packing. Hirano, along with his two compatriots, were tossed out and had to search for new clubs.

Though all three were quickly picked up by other clubs, it was not easy to overcome the bad reputation that came with being "fired" from such a high-profile position. Of the three, Hirano's brash and outspoken character seemed to fit the image of a troublemaker far more than the quiet, soft-spoken Mochizuki or the calm, conservative and respected Oiwa. Though Oiwa would revive his career with a move to Kashima, and the older Mochizuki was already settling into the role of a veteran utility player, Hirano struggled to find a new home, and to redeem his reputation. After changing teams four times in four years, he finally seemed to settle in at Tokyo Verdy, though by this time his career was already on the downward slope. When Verdy were relegated at the end of 2005, Hirano was cut adrift, and for the next two seasons he spend most of his time travelling around and trying to convince a team to let him play. He put in breif stints at Yokohama Marinos and Omiya Ardija -- in both cases signing late in the sasaon as a utility player to give the team a bit of added experience.

In 2008, Hirano once again found himself without a team. At the age of 33, he may still have a few productive years left as a player, but no J1 teams really seemed interested, and Hirano had too much pride to play for a J2 club. Instead, he travelled to the US and managed to find a spot with the USL club Vancouver Whitecaps. Although his playing career may be nearing its close, we will be watching closely to see if Hirano can make a contribution to Vancouver. If nothing else, he might be able to open the channel for more Japanese players to seek opportunities in North America. Up to now, Europe has been the main destination for footballers seeeking chances to play overseas, and there have been no successful moves in either direction (Japanese players in the MLS/USL or North American players in the J.League). Hopefully, Hirano can break new ground in that sense, and open up new opportunities and exchanges between Asia and North America.

National Team Data & History
NT Caps: 15 NT Goals: 4 Tournaments: World Cup Qualifiers (1997) France World Cup (1998)
Date	Vs.	Score	Location	Status	Min.	G
6-8-1997	Croatia	4-3	Tokyo Natl Stadium	Start	77	1
6-22-1997	Macao	10-0	Tokyo Natl Stadium	Sub	20	0
6-28-1997	Oman	1-1	Tokyo Natl Stadium	Start	45	0
8-13-1997	Brazil	0-3	Nagai Stadium	Start	45	0
11-1-1997	Korea	2-0	Seoul, Korea	Sub	19	0
2-15-1998	Australia	3-0	Adelaide, Australia	Sub	28	2
3-1-1998	Korea	2-1	Yokohama Stadium	Sub	30	0
4-1-1998	Korea	1-2	Seoul, Korea	Sub	4	0
5-17-1998	Paraguay	1-1	Tokyo Natl Stadium	Sub	12	0
6-3-1998	Yugoslavia	0-1	Lausanne, Switz.	Sub	6	0
6-14-1998	Argentina	0-1	Tolouse, France	Sub	6	0
6-26-1998	Jamaica	1-2	Lyon, France	Sub	31	0
2-5-2000	Mexico	0-1	Hong Kong	Sub	10	0
2-16-2000	Brunei	9-0	Macao Stadium	Start	90	1
2-20-2000	Macao	3-0	Macao Stadium	Start	79	0