Shoki Hirai

Shoki Hirai

Personal information
Full name	Shoki Hirai
Date of birth	4 December 1987
Place of birth	Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan
Height	1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position	Striker
Club information
Current team	Avispa Fukuoka
Number	14
Youth career
2003–2005	Gamba Osaka
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2006–2013	Gamba Osaka	90	(31)
2012	→ Albirex Niigata (loan)	21	(0)
2014–	Avispa Fukuoka	42	(3)
National team^‡
2007	Japan U-20	1	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 January 2015. † Appearances (goals) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 January 2012

Shoki Hirai (平井 将生 Hirai Shōki, born 4 December 1987 in Tokushima) is a Japanese footballer.

Club career

Gamba Osaka

Hirai was born in Tokushima, Shikoku region, and began his career playing for his local club Kamihachiman SC before moving to a higher level joining Premiere SC in 2000.

At age of 15, he was invited to attend Gamba Osaka youth academy. After spending three years there, Hirai signed his first professional contract with Gamba on 6 December 2005.^[1] He was, along with fellow player Michihiro Yasuda, promoted to the senior squad and assigned the number 34 shirt. He made his professional debut on 9 December 2006 in the Emperor's Cup 4th round match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. The following season, Hirai took over the number 14 shirt, previously worn by Akihiro Ienaga.

In the 2008 season, Hirai playing time increased significantly as he appeared in 8 league matches. He made his J. League debut on 27 April 2008 against Vissel Kobe coming on as a substitute in the 80th minute.^[2] After making a few substitute appearances, he made his first league start on 26 July 2008 in a 1–0 defaut Oita Trinita playing 45 minutes.^[2] Hirai scored his first professional goal on 2 July 2008 in a J. League Cup match against Yokohama F. Marinos, which proved to be the winner as Gamba won the match 1–0. During the season, he signed new five-year contract.^[3]

Hirai had arguably one of the best seasons of his career in the 2010 season. He appeared in 31 total matches scoring a career-high 20 goals. On 23 March 2010, Hirai scored first career hat-trick against Singapore Armed Forces in the AFC Champions League. He was later named Man of the match for this performance, which led to a 4–2 victory.^[4]

Albirex Niigata

On 12 January 2012 it was announced that Hirai would be joining Albirex Niigata on loan for the 2012 season.^[5]

International career

On 16 March 2007, Hirai received his first call-up to the Japan U-20 squad,^[6] and won his first U20 cap as a substitute against Cape Verde on 25 March.^[7]

Team honors

• AFC Champions League – 2008
• Emperor's Cup – 2008
• Japanese Super Cup – 2007

Club career stats

Last update: 1 January 2015^[8]

Club performance			League		Emperor's Cup		J. League Cup		Asia		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
2006	Gamba Osaka	J. League 1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
2007			0	0	0	0	0	0	–		0	0
2008			8	0	1	0	1	1	1	0	11	1
2009			1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0
2010			23	14	2	2	2	0	4	4	31	20
2011			21	5	1	0	2	0	3	0	27	5
2012	Albirex Niigata		21	0	1	0	6	2	–		28	2
2013	Gamba Osaka	J. League 2	17	4	1	1	-	-	-	-	18	5
2014	Avispa Fukuoka		42	3	1	0	-		-		43	3
Total			133	26	8	3	11	3	9	4	163	36

References

1. "ガンバ大阪ユース6選手がプロ選手 (仮契約)として昇格". Gamba Osaka. 6 December 2005. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
2. "選手出場記録". J. League. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
3. "Ｇ大阪"浪速のアンリ"ＦＷ平井が新潟移籍へ". Sports Nippon. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
4. "G大阪が公式戦７戦目にして初勝利！FW平井将生が初のハットトリック！". J's goal. 24 March 2010. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
5. "ガンバ大阪から平井 将生選手 期限付き移籍加入のお知らせ". Albirex Niigata. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
6. "U-20代表ポルトガル遠征、平井選手が追加招集". J's goal. 16 March 2007. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
7. "試合終了間際の河原のゴールで逆転勝利を収める". J's goal. 25 March 2007. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
8. "Stats Centre: Shoki Hirai Facts". Guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 10 June 2009.

External links

• Official site (Japanese)