Hiroto Iwabuchi

Hiroto Iwabuchi (岩渕 弘人, Iwabuchi Hiroto; born 17 September 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for J2 League club Vegalta Sendai. Between 2014 and 2015, Iwabuchi represented Tono High School in the All Japan High School Soccer Tournament, however his school were knocked out in the first round of both tournaments. He then went on to represent Sendai University in the Prime Minister's Cup and the Intercollegiate in 2017 and 2018, making 8 appearances in these competitions. In 2019, Iwabuchi made his first appearance in the Emperor's Cup, scoring an 82nd-minute winner in a 3–2 victory over Iwaki FC in the first round. Sendai were eventually knocked out in the second round, losing 2–1 to J.League team Yokohama FC, with Iwabuchi playing 32 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute. In 2020, Iwabuchi moved to Japan Football League club Iwaki FC. He scored on his debut for the club in July in a 2–1 league victory over Nara Club. Iwabuchi additionally went on to make 15 appearances across all competitions in his first season, scoring 3 goals in total. In 2021, he played 25 games and scored 6 goals, as Iwaki were crowned champions of the JFL and were promoted to the J3 League for the first time in their history. In 2022, Iwabuchi was a regular starter in his first season in the J3 League, scoring regularly and following a hat-trick in a 6–0 win over YSCC Yokohama was awarded the J3 Monthly MVP award.