Rihei Sano

was a Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.

Biography
Sano was born in Shizuoka Prefecture on September 21, 1912. He played for Waseda WMW which was consisted of his alma mater Waseda University players and graduates.

In 1936, when Sano was a Waseda University student, he was selected the Japan national team for 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. At this competition, on August 4, he debuted against Sweden. Japan completed a come-from-behind victory against Sweden. The first victory in Olympics for the Japan and the historic victory over one of the powerhouses became later known as "Miracle of Berlin" (ベルリンの奇跡) in Japan. In 2016, this team was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame. On August 7, he also played against Italy. He played 2 games for Japan in 1936.

Sano died on March 26, 1992 at the age of 79.

Statistics
Japan National Football Team Database

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References

Other websites

Japan Football Hall of Fame (Japan team at 1936 Olympics) at Japan Football Association

Category:1912 births
Category:1992 deaths
Category:Footballers from Shizuoka Prefecture
Category:Japan international footballers
Category:Footballers at the 1936 Summer Olympics