Yoshika Matsubara

After his brother returned from Argentina, Shinya joined professional team Shimizu S-Pulse. This move set up a rare sibling derby match up when Shimizu S-Pulse played Matsubara’s team Júbilo Iwata in the reserve league. His brother now works in Hamamatsu for the Shizuoka Prefecture Football Association, and will work as a coach for Hamamatsu University from 2013.

Involved in the establishment of the Gyosei international school Astra football club (junior high and high school), with the help and cooperation of the school and the community, the members of the club have grown from 0 to 160 in just four years. The junior high team has been promoted to the Chiba Prefecture 1st Division, and likewise, the high school team has also been promoted to the 1st division, making the team one of the top teams in the Prefecture.

Following the devastation caused by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, Matsubara worked together with ex-Japanese internationals Yutaka Akita and Keiji Ishizuka in 2012 to create the Tohoku Charity T-shirt project. 300 T-shirts signed by Paolo Montero, Alvaro Recoba and Ruben Sosa were all sold within 2 weeks. The proceeds to the T-shirts went towards inviting Nakano football club, a children’s team from the disaster affected area of Tohoku, to participate in a football tournament held by Felice in Gyosei International school. As a guest, Paulo Montero was also invited to join the tournament and held a talk show to the children. There are also plans to re-invite Nakano football club to the next tournament.

Later in 2009, Matsubara established FELICE MONDO Inc. The company has expanded in recent years, establishing football schools in Roppongi (Tokyo), Urayasu (Chiba) and Kisarazu (Chiba). Club teams were also established in Roppongi (junior) and Urayasu (junior youth).

After announcing his retirement in 2005, he established Felice Mondo Inc. as the CEO of the company. He also holds the positions of General Manager of the Gyosei International School Astra International football program, and Vice Chairman of the J.League Players OB Party.

After retiring as a professional player, Matsubara struggled searching for a second career at first. Ultimately he chose to stay working in the world of football however, as a way of giving something back to the sport which made him so successful. Founded on the philosophy of teaching children in a relaxed manner and taking time to concentrate on building character, Matsubara opened his first Football school in 2005, aiming to offer the best children’s coaching in the country.

2005: Opens FELICE Football School 2009: Established FELICE MONDO INC. (transition from Felice Football School) Position of CEO Takes position of Gyosei International School General Manager of Astra International course. Takes position of Vice Chairman of the J.League Players OB Party. Becomes player advisor of TAKE ACTION F.C Foundation.

Matsubara attended the Instituto Superior de Education Fisica (ISEF) in Uruguay in 2002, and started studying as a coach. Receiving his first coaching certificate in 2005, by 2010 he was awarded with his S Level certificate by the Japan Football Association, completing the set which allows him to coach/manage teams in the J.League.

Matsubara also represented the Japan U-23 National team, and was part of the 1996 Summer Olympics team which famously defeated the Brazil which included players such as Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos and Bebeto.

Upon Kazutoshi Miura's triumphal return from Brazil, Matsubara watched one of Miura's games. What he saw that day inspired Matsubara to want to become a professional player. In his pursuit to sign for a professional club, Matsubara participated in trials at his local clubs Shimizu S-Pulse, and Yamaha Motors (Now Júbilo Iwata), clubs which were on the brink of joining the J1 League at the time. Matsubara was unsuccessful however, and instead decided to travel abroad to find a club after being recommended by Masakuni Yamamoto of the Japan Football Association, who was putting together a team to compete in the 1996 Summer Olympics at the time.

Born in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Matsubara spent time playing with CA Penarol of Uruguay upon graduating from Tokai University Shoyo Senior High School. He joined J1 League team Júbilo Iwata in 1994 upon his return to Japan, then making a series of moves starting with Shimizu S-Pulse, JEF United Ichihara, Rijeka of Croatia, Delemont of Switzerland, Shonan Bellmare, Progreso of Uruguay, Avispa Fukuoka, Defensor Sporting of Uruguay, Okinawa Kariyushi FC and Shizuoka FC. Playing for a total of 12 different clubs during his playing career.

Yoshika Matsubara (松原 良香 , Matsubara Yoshika, born August 19, 1974) is a former Japanese football player and manager. Matsubara is the CEO of Felice Mondo Inc., football instructor (Gyosei International School General Manager of Astra International course), and Vice Chairman of the J.League Players OB Party.