Masashi Oguro

Masashi Oguro (大黒 将志, Ōguro Masashi; born 4 May 1980) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a forward. He made 22 appearances scoring 5 goals for Japan national team between 2005 and 2008.

Oguro joined the J1 League in 1999, with Gamba Osaka. He was loaned to Consadole Sapporo for the 2001 season, and returned to Gamba having impressed many in Osaka. In 2004, Oguro scored the second-highest number of goals in the J1 League, and the highest number of all Japanese-born players.

In Chinese characters, Oguro's name resembles that of the god Daikokuten, giving him that nickname. Gamba Osaka's official merchandise store has come to be called the Shrine of Daikokuten. In 2005, Oguro was the sixth top J1 League scorer, and helped lead Gamba Osaka to the J1 League championship.

In December 2005, Oguro was signed by French club Grenoble, where he appeared in 17 Ligue 2 matches.

In August 2006, Oguro was transferred to Italian club Torino.

In June 2008, Oguro returned to Japan and moved to J1 League side Tokyo Verdy. However he could scored only two goals and Verdy was relegated to J2 League. In 2009, he played in J2 League first time and scored 21 goals. However the club finished at 7th place and could not return to J1. In 2010, Oguro moved to J2 club Yokohama FC and scored 12 goals in 16 matches until June. In June 2010, Oguro moved to J1 club FC Tokyo. In 2011, Oguro transferred to J1 club Yokohama F. Marinos. He scored ten goals in 2011 season. However he could scored only two goals in 2012 season.

Oguro was chosen for the Japan national team in 2005 for the 2006 World Cup qualifying games. During his second game for the team on 9 February, Oguro scored the second goal in injury time to help Japan to a 2–0 win over North Korea in the final game of Asian qualification. In 2005, Oguro was the fifth top scorer for the Japan national team. In May 2006, Oguro was called up to play for Japan in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He played 22 games and scored 5 goals for Japan until 2008.