Miura ends four-year wait for goal in Fukushima rout

Kazuyoshi Miura scored his first competitive goal in almost four years as Fukushima United hammered Iwaki Furukawa FC 7-0 in an Emperor's Cup qualifier at the weekend.

The former Japan striker, now 59 and in his 41st professional season, got Fukushima's fifth goal when he met a 52nd-minute cross from Takatora Einaga inside the box and beat two defenders to the ball before finishing.

Miura said, "It was a bit of a scramble, but what matters is that we were in the right spots, so I think we positioned ourselves well." He added, "I wanted to live up to the expectations of everyone, including the coach who gave me the opportunity to play until that point."

Reflecting on the moment, Miura said, "Above all, I was so happy that, even when we were already way ahead, the players, staff, and fans were all able to celebrate that one goal together with such joy."

Nicknamed "King Kazu", Miura made his professional debut in 1986 with Brazilian club Santos and has since played in Italy, Croatia, Australia and Portugal. He was one of the key figures in raising football's profile in Japan when the professional J-League began in 1993.

He earned his Japan debut in 1990 and scored 55 goals in 89 appearances for the national team, though he was notably left out of the squad for the country's first World Cup finals appearance in 1998.

Miura joined Fukushima United on loan in January after spending last season with fourth-tier Atletico Suzuka, where he made eight appearances without scoring as the club dropped into Japan's regional leagues. At the time of his move, he said he wanted to repay Fukushima's faith with goals and assists.