Hikaru Minegishi
Hikaru Minegishi (Japanese: 嶺岸 光, Minegishi Hikaru), also known by his nickname Pika, is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for the Philippines national team. Early life and educationMinegishi was born on June 5, 1991.[1] His Filipino mother is a native of Olongapo[2] while his father is Japanese. He studied at the Seiwa Gakuen High School for his secondary studies and later attended the Sendai University for his collegiate studies.[3] Club careerYouthMinegishi was part of the youth system of the Urawa Red Diamonds. He also played as part of the football team of Sendai University.[2] SeniorGlobal CebuFellow Filipino-Japanese, Daisuke Sato invited Minegishi to play club football in the Philippines.[4] In early 2015, Global F.C. of the United Football League had signed Minegishi.[2] Minegishi scored 17 goals in 17 league matches for Global in the 2016 UFL season reportedly by October 5, 2016.[3] He was awarded the Golden Ball at the end of the season.[5] Minegishi ended his stint with Global Cebu with a runner-up finish at the inaugural season of the Philippine Football League in 2017.[6] Pattaya UnitedHe moved to Pattaya United F.C. and will form part of the club starting in the 2018 Thai League 1 season.[6] International careerPhilippinesBy November 5, 2016, Minegishi was processing his Philippine passport for him to be eligible to play for the Philippines national football team.[7] Minegishi made his debut for the Philippines[8] in their first group stage match against Singapore, coming on as a half-time substitute. The match ended in a 0–0 draw.[9][10] In the next group stage match where the Philippines settled for a 2–2 draw with Indonesia, Minegishi made his first international start.[11] On 22 March 2018, Minegishi scored his debut international goal for the Philippines, scoring the Azkals' second goal in a 3-2 friendly win over Fiji.[12] International goals
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