Gō Ōiwa (大岩 剛, Ōiwa Gō; born 23 June 1972) is a Japanese football manager and former player who is the manager of the Japan under-23 national team.
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Playing career
Ōiwa was born in Shizuoka on June 23, 1972. After graduating from the University of Tsukuba, he joined Nagoya Grampus Eight in 1995. From his first season, he established a centre-back partnership with Alexandre Torres. The club won the 1995 and 1999 Emperor's Cup. In Asia, the club were runners-up in the 1996–97 Asian Cup Winners' Cup. He moved to Júbilo Iwata in September 2000. The club won the 2002 J1 League and were runners-up in the 2000–01 Asian Club Championship. In 2003, he moved to rival club Kashima Antlers, who had competed for the title with Júbilo. He played as a centre-back with Yutaka Akita or Daiki Iwamasa. Although his opportunity to play decreased from 2007, the club were champions for three years in a row (2007–2009). The club also won the 2007 and 2010 Emperor's Cup. He retired at the end of the 2010 season.
On February 5, 2000, Ōiwa debuted for Japan national team against Mexico. He played three games for Japan in 2000.
Managerial career
After retirement, Ōiwa became a coach for Kashima Antlers in 2011. In May 2017, he became the new manager, succeeding Masatada Ishii. In the 2018 AFC Champions League, he led the team to the final against Persepolis. Ōiwa overcame the absence of five injured players, in addition to the fatigue at the end of the season after playing 52 matches, Kashima Antlers beat Persepolis with two goals in the first leg. After a goalless draw in the second leg, the club won the AFC Champions League.
It was revealed on the 23rd of July 2026 that Gō Ōiwa would take charge of the Japan National Football team in March 2027 with current manager Hajime Moriyasu stepping down.
Career statistics
Managerial
As of 1 January 2020
Honours
Player
Nagoya Grampus Eight
Emperor's Cup: 1995, 1999
Kashima Antlers
J1 League: 2002, 2007, 2008, 2009
Emperor's Cup: 2007, 2010
A3 Champions Cup: 2003
Manager
Kashima Antlers
Japanese Super Cup: 2017
AFC Champions League: 2018
Japan U23
AFC U-23 Asian Cup: 2024, 2026
Individual
J.League Best Eleven: 2001
Asian Coach of the Year: 2018, 2023