Nozomi Hiroyama

is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder where he is currently the head coach of Japan U17.

Hiroyama played over 400 games during his career which included spells in Japan, France, Portugal, Paraguay, Brazil and United States, as well as earning two caps with the Japan national team. Hiroyama was the first Japanese footballer to dispute the Copa Libertadores competition.

Club career Japan Hiroyama began his career with his hometown team, JEF United Ichihara, in the Japanese J1 League, helping his team to the final of the J.League Cup in 1998, and making 120 appearances and scoring 20 goals in total in his four years with the team. Whilst Hiroyama was at JEF United, the physical trainer of the team was Paraguayan, who gave good references to him, and then the opportunity was given to Hiroyama to play at Cerro Porteño.

South America Cerro Porteño Hiroyama signed for Paraguayan side Cerro Porteño in 2001, and during his time in South America became the first Japanese footballer to play and score in the Copa Libertadores. Hiroyama featured for Cerro Porteño for 1 year and a half. He was coached by Cesar Jacquet.

Hiroyama was one of two foreigners in Cerro Porteño's squad, which included Costa Rican footballer Froylan Ledezma. In Cerro Porteño's team, Hiroyama colleagued with Aldo Bobadilla, Diego Barreto, Nelson Zelaya, Carlos Baez, Sergio Aquino, Jorge Luis Campos, Guido Alvarenga, Julio dos Santos, Cesar Ramirez, Virgilio Ferreira, Santiago Salcedo and Ledezma. On 10 May in Cerro Porteño's first-leg tie of the Copa Libertadores round of 16 stage against Mexican club Cruz Azul, Hiroyama played in the team's 2–1 home victory. On 16 May, Hiroyama played in the team's 3–1 away defeat in the second-leg.

Hiroyama also played in the 2001 Copa Mercosur, appearing 8 times. He started on 5 occasions in the competition. again, Hiroyama was unable to cement a place in the first team, and returned home to Japan prior to the beginning of the 2004 J1 League season.

Japan Hiroyama quickly established himself at Tokyo Verdy, helping his team win the 2004 Emperor's Cup, and playing in the 2006 AFC Champions League, but was unable to prevent his side being relegated into J2 that same year. He had a brief spell on loan at Cerezo Osaka in 2005, before moving on to J2 side Thespa Kusatsu in 2009,m having made 79 league appearances and scored 11 goals for Tokyo.

United States Hiroyama signed with Richmond Kickers of the USL Professional Division on March 16, 2011, and made his debut for his new team on April 9, in a game against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds

On August 17, 2012, Hiroyama announced his retirement from professional football.

International career In June 1997, Hiroyama was selected Japan U-20 national team for 1997 World Youth Championship. He played 4 matches as right midfielder and scored a goal against Paraguay.

On October 4, 2001, Hiroyama debuted for Japan national team against Senegal. On October 7, he also played against Nigeria. He played 2 games for Japan in 2001.

Coaching career In 2020, Hiroyama was the second coach of Japan's under-16 national team.

Personal life In Paraguay, Hiroyama liked Sopa paraguaya and Empanadas. Also, he drank lots of Terere and took with him a Terere thermus kit to keep drinking. In terms of Paraguay's Guarani language, Hiroyama learnt a few words.

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