Japan announces women's football squad for Tokyo 2020

Japan’s women’s football coach TAKAKURA Asako aims to deliver Olympic glory for her country with a stellar squad that combines youth and experience.

The 22 players, which includes four backups, will be led by captain KUMAGAI Saki (Bayern Munich) who was part of the national squad that won the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. “She has a strong mentality, she listens to other and is a great player and human being,” said Takakura at a press conference to announce the squad for Tokyo 2020.

It will also include defenders SHIMIZU Risa (Nippon TV), MIYAGAWA Asato (Nippon TV) and TAKARADA Saori (Washington Spirit). The midfield will be covered by NAKAJIMA Emi (INC Kobe Lenoessa), Milan star HASEGAWA Yui and ENDO Jun (Nippon TV).

Playing up front will be Arsenal striker IWABUCHI Mana and TANAKA Mina (Bayer Leverkusen) and oldest player in the squad, 30-year-old SUGASAWA Yuika (Urawa Reds). The youngest is 18-year-old defender KINOSHITA Momoka (Nippon TV).

Japan has triumphed as champions in women’s football in 2011 at the World Cup and at the Asia Cup in 2014 and 2018. At the 2019 World Cup they finished in the last 16.

But the squad, nicknamed Nadeshiko Japan, has experienced mixed fortunes at the Olympics since its debut in women’s football in 1996. The team’s highest place was as runner-up to the United States at London 2012, but four years later the players were left disappointed when they failed to qualify for Rio 2016.

Takakura is determined their fortunes will change at Tokyo 2020. The squad take on Canada, Chile and Great Britain in Group E. Their first match will be against Canada at the Sapporo Dome, in Sapporo, on 21 July.

“After much deliberation, I made up my mind to go with this team and we are ready to fight on the great stage of the Tokyo Olympics. I believe that we will grow from the first game and each game after that and (we will) build a team that will go for the gold medal,” she said.

“In the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, while many teams will be pushing the physical side of the game, Japan will remember to fight as one. I want the players to be relaxed and to challenge the world's best, and I want everyone to fight in the same direction.”

She added: “I want to say thank you to all the players who have worked so hard in the training camps and in the friendly matches, and who, with less than a month to go until the Olympic Games, have given so much to the team.”

There will be 12 nations competing in women’s football at Tokyo 2020. The matches will be played seven venues in six cities from 21 July with the final on 6 August.

Japan squad to compete at Tokyo 2020

Goalkeepers: IKEDA Sakiko, YAMASHITA Ayaka
Defenders: KUMAGAI Saki, SHIMIZU Risa, MIYAGAWA Asato, MINAMI Moeka, KITAMURA Nanami, TAKARADA Saori
Midfielders: NAKAJIMA Emi, HASEGAWA Yui, SUGITA Hina, MIURA Narumi, SHIOKOSHI Yuzuho, ENDO Jun
Forwards: SUGASAWA Yuika, IWABUCHI Mana, TANAKA Mina, MOMIKI Yuka

Backup members: HIRAO Chika, MIYAKE Shiori, HAYASHI Honoka, KINOSHITA Momoka