Japanese is NFA U16 coach

FAS has appointed Japanese Takuma Koga as the new National Football Academy U-16 coach.

“Koga's immediate task will be to prepare our NFA U-16 team, who have just been awarded the SNOC Team of the Year (Team Sport, Juniors), for the upcoming 23rd Canon Lion City Cup in June 2011. In addition, he will prepare the "Cubs" to participate in the 2013 AFC U-19 Youth Championships.

“Koga, who was previously the head coach of Cerezo Osaka Under-15 team, holds the S License obtained in 2006, which is equivalent to the AFC Pro Diploma - the highest coaching qualification in AFC. I am pleased to note that Koga's Club Cerezo Osaka are playing in this year's AFC Champions League and are currently on top of the group. Koga’s appointment as our NFA U-16 head coach has been made at the right moment, as the boys have completed their school competitions and will be able to focus their attention on the task ahead. Koga will be reporting to the FAS Technical Director Slobodan and he will also be sharing his coaching experience with our local youth coaches,” said Mr Zainudin.

Apart from his coaching credentials, Koga also boasts a distinguished playing career. As a professional footballer, Koga played alongside household names like Brazilian legend Dunga at Jubilo Iwata, where he won the J-League titles in 1997 and 1999, as well as the J-League Cup in 1998.