Kouichi Belgira

Last updated

Kouichi Belgira
Personal information
Full name Kouichi Sakino Belgira [1]
Date of birth (1996-12-28) December 28, 1996 (age 29)
Place of birth Okayama, Japan
Position
Team information
Current team
Stallion Laguna
Number 22
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2015–2016 Forza
2016–2017 Meralco Manila 17 (4)
2017–2018 JPV Marikina 21 (2)
2018–2019 Čelik Nikšić 1 (0)
2019 Global Makati 4 (1)
2019–2024 Stallion Laguna 30 (2)
2024 Shan United 1 (0)
2024– Stallion Laguna 19 (0)
International career
2017 Philippines U23 4 (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 13:05, January 8, 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 13:05, January 8, 2026 (UTC)

Kouichi Sakino Belgira (born 28 December 1996) is a Filipino professional footballer who plays as a full-back or midfielder for Philippines Football League club Stallion Laguna. Born in Japan, he represents the Philippines at the international level. [2] [1]

Contents

Club career

Early PFL career

Belgira was born in the city of Okayama in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. He started playing professionally in the Philippines at 18 years old, suiting up for UFL Division 2 side Forza. [3] A year later, he went on trial wth UFL side Loyola, becoming part of the first team squad. [4] [5] [6]

Belgira left Loyola in 2017 and signed with JPV Marikina, making 21 appearances in his first season. [7] In 2019, he returned to the Philippines with Global FC, before transferring mid season. [8]

Playing abroad

After one season with JPV, Belgira signed with Montenegrin Second League team FK Čelik Nikšić in 2018, making only one appearance against FK Ibar. [9] [10]

In 2024, Belgira played abroad again, this time for Shan United in the Myanmar National League, but moved back to the Philippines a few months later. [11] [12]

Stallion Laguna

After leaving Global, Belgira signed with Stallion Laguna, becoming a starter in the club's second half of the season and in the 2019 Copa Paulino Alcantara. [13] He stayed with Stallion until 2024, also competing in the AFC Cup. [14] [15]

Belgira would rejoin Stallion once more after leaving Shan United, playing 18 games in the 2024–25 season.

International career

Philippines U23

Belgira was born to a Filipino father and a Japanese mother, making him eligible to represent both countries internationally. In 2017, he was called up to the squad for the 2017 SEA Games. [16] The Philippines got knocked out in the group stage, with Belgira scoring a free kick in a 2–0 win over Cambodia. [17] [18]

Philippines

While playing in the UFL with Loyola, Belgira was called up to the Philippine senior team by coach Thomas Dooley in 2016 for a training camp. [19] He was called up once more in 2022 for a training camp ahead of the 2022 AFF Championship, but was not part of the final squad. [20]

References

  1. 1 2 "Kou Belgira - Global Sports Archive". Global Sports Archive. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  2. Kouichi Belgira at Soccerway
  3. Tamayao, Brian (May 26, 2015). "Nomads conclude UFL Cup run by denying Forza comeback win". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  4. "Loyola slips past Kaya; Voltes stays in race for second". Tiebreaker Times. October 16, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  5. "Sparks Youngsters Earn National Team Recognition". One Meralco Sports. Archived from the original on March 28, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  6. "11 New Faces Bolster Sparks in Upcoming UFL Cup". One Meralco Sports. Archived from the original on February 24, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  7. Saldajeno, Ivan (November 8, 2017). "Marikina keeps Negros from top spot with bizarre draw". Dugout PH. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  8. "Stallion Laguna pounds Global Makati in PH Football League". Panay News. July 3, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  9. "Službeni Glasnik Fudbalskog Saveza Crne Gore" (PDF). FK Čelik Nikšić. February 16, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  10. "Celik 0:4 Ibar". FK Čelik Nikšić. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  11. Al Dava, Muhammad (June 22, 2014). "Hanya Enam Tim akan Bertanding, Berikut Calon Lawan Madura United di ACGL Zona Timur!". Arena Indozone. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  12. "In the imminent football season, with four tournaments awaiting the team's participation, Shan United's current lineup has been bolstered by the inclusion of Japanese winger Koichi, strategically selected to enhance the team's capabilities". Shan United FC on Facebook. March 15, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  13. Saldajeno, Ivan (November 6, 2019). "Kaya Iloilo draws with Stallion Laguna to seal top seed". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  14. Saldajeno, Ivan (May 15, 2023). "Stallion Laguna moves to 3rd with home win vs. Mendiola". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  15. Saldajeno, Ivan (May 14, 2023). "With Clint McDaniel at the helm, Stallion Laguna blanks Mendiola at home to go 3rd". Dugout PH. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  16. "Philippine Men's Under-22 Squad for the 29th Southeast Asian Games". Philippine Football Federation . Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  17. "Philippines U22 Victorious in SEA Games Opener". Philippine Football Federation . Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  18. Reyes, Marc Anthony (August 16, 2017). "Practice makes perfect for PH booter Belgira". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  19. "PFF ADVISORY ON PHILIPPINES MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM'S WCQ MATCHES ON 24 AND 29 MARCH 2016". Philippine Football Federation. March 14, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  20. Senase, Jose Rodriguez (December 14, 2022). "2022 Mitsubishi Cup: Cambodia to play Philippines on Dec 20". Khmer Times. Retrieved January 8, 2026.