Rihei Sano

Rihei Sano
佐野理平
Personal information
Full name	Rihei Sano
Date of birth	September 21, 1912
Place of birth	Shizuoka, Japan
Date of death	March 26, 1992 (aged 79)
Place of death	Japan
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Youth career
	Waseda University
Senior career*
Years	Team
	Waseda WMW
International career
1936	Japan
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Rihei Sano (佐野理平, Sano Rihei, September 21, 1912 – March 26, 1992) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.

Club career

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

National team career

Sano

Miracle of Berlin (1936 Olympics 1st round v Sweden on August 4)

In 1936, when Sano was a Waseda University student, he was selected 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.^[1]

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