Japan Great 'King Kazu' Miura Scores 1st Competitive Goal after Four Years at 59

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Japanese soccer icon Kazuyoshi Miura scored his first competitive goal in nearly four years on Saturday, finding the net at the age of 59 as Fukushima United thrashed Iwaki Furukawa 7-0 to advance in the Emperor's Cup.

Miura, affectionately known as "King Kazu", struck in the 52nd minute to put Fukushima 5-0 ahead, capping a trademark run into the box by ⁠meeting a teammate's ⁠cutback with a first-time finish at 59 years and 149 days.

The goal sparked celebrations among teammates on the pitch and the bench before the veteran forward was substituted three ⁠minutes later, Reuters reported.

It was Miura's first competitive goal since November 2022, when he scored for Suzuka PG, now Atletico Suzuka, in a Japan Football League defeat by FC Osaka.

The former Japan international is preparing for a remarkable 42nd season as a professional after extending his loan spell with third-tier Fukushima United until ⁠June ⁠2027.

Miura joined the club from Yokohama FC in December and will remain with Fukushima after making six appearances during a shortened 2026 campaign.

With Japan's professional leagues set to switch from a spring-to-autumn schedule to an autumn-to-spring calendar, Miura will enter his 60s still playing professionally, adding another chapter to one of soccer's most enduring careers.

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