Japan women's national football team
Encyclopedia
The Japan women's national football team, or Nadeshiko
Japan (なでしこジャパン), is a selection of the best female players in Japan
and is run by the Japan Football Association
(JFA). Japan defeated the U.S. in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Final
in a penalty shootout, becoming the first Asian team to win the FIFA Women's World Cup
.
. The team continued playing matches in Japan or in other countries, but it was not an "All Japan" national team but a temporarily organized team selected from the regional leagues.
In 1986, Ryohei Suzuki was selected as the coach of the Japan women's national football team, the first "All Japan" team. In 1989, the "Japan Women's Football League" (abbreviated to "L. League") was established, and the women’s national team qualified for the "1991 FIFA Women's World Cup" in China.
and the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup which had made the national team and the L. League very popular. However, in 1999, Japan failed to qualify for the 2000 Summer Olympics
, and this helped to cause the withdrawal of a series of teams from the L. League. Japanese women’s football was on the verge of decline.
appointed Eiji Ueda
, who had been coach for the Macau National Football Team, as the new head coach. Officials expected a revitalization of women's football and planned a team reorganization, aiming for the 2004 Summer Olympics
. The team at first went through a losing streak, but Ueda gradually improved the team, and it eventually gained wide support in Japan. In particular, a game against Korea DPR, which decided who would participate in the 2004 Olympics, not only made fans rush to the National Stadium but also was widely watched on TV.
Following the increase in public interest in women's football in Japan, the JFA organized a public contest to select a nickname for the team. "Nadeshiko Japan" was chosen from among about 2,700 entries and was announced on 7 July 2004. "Nadeshiko", a kind of dianthus
, comes from the phrase "Yamato Nadeshiko
" (大和撫子, "ideal Japanese woman").
. After finishing second in their group behind England
, Nadeshiko Japan stunned two-time defending champion and host nation Germany
1–0 in the quarterfinals, before easily defeating Sweden
3–1 to reach the final.
After the final game finished 2–2 after extra time, Japan stunned the United States 3–1 in a penalty shootout, becoming the first Asian team to win the FIFA Women's World Cup
.
* Japan score always listed first
Yamato Nadeshiko
is a Japanese term meaning "personification of an idealized Japanese woman", "ideal" in the historical context of the patriarchal, traditional culture of Japan...
Japan (なでしこジャパン), is a selection of the best female players in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and is run by the Japan Football Association
Japan Football Association
The Japan Football Association, sometimes known as the Japan Soccer Association , is the governing body responsible for the administration of association football in Japan. It is responsible for the national team as well as club competitions....
(JFA). Japan defeated the U.S. in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Final
2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Final
The final of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup was played between and the . The match took place in Commerzbank-Arena, in Frankfurt, Germany, on 17 July 2011...
in a penalty shootout, becoming the first Asian team to win the FIFA Women's World Cup
FIFA Women's World Cup
The FIFA Women's World Cup is an international association football competition contested by the senior women's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the...
.
70s and 80s
During the 1970s, the number of women football players and teams increased in Japan, and teams made up regional leagues in various parts of Japan. In 1980, "All-Japan Women's Football Championship" was held, and in 1981 the Japan women's national football team played its first international match in Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. The team continued playing matches in Japan or in other countries, but it was not an "All Japan" national team but a temporarily organized team selected from the regional leagues.
In 1986, Ryohei Suzuki was selected as the coach of the Japan women's national football team, the first "All Japan" team. In 1989, the "Japan Women's Football League" (abbreviated to "L. League") was established, and the women’s national team qualified for the "1991 FIFA Women's World Cup" in China.
Crisis Years
Japan women's national football team attended various championship tournaments such as the 1996 Summer Olympics1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
and the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup which had made the national team and the L. League very popular. However, in 1999, Japan failed to qualify for the 2000 Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, and this helped to cause the withdrawal of a series of teams from the L. League. Japanese women’s football was on the verge of decline.
Regeneration
In August 2002, the Japan Football AssociationJapan Football Association
The Japan Football Association, sometimes known as the Japan Soccer Association , is the governing body responsible for the administration of association football in Japan. It is responsible for the national team as well as club competitions....
appointed Eiji Ueda
Eiji Ueda
Eiji Ueda is a former Japanese football player. He has played for Fujita Industries.-References:**...
, who had been coach for the Macau National Football Team, as the new head coach. Officials expected a revitalization of women's football and planned a team reorganization, aiming for the 2004 Summer Olympics
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
. The team at first went through a losing streak, but Ueda gradually improved the team, and it eventually gained wide support in Japan. In particular, a game against Korea DPR, which decided who would participate in the 2004 Olympics, not only made fans rush to the National Stadium but also was widely watched on TV.
Following the increase in public interest in women's football in Japan, the JFA organized a public contest to select a nickname for the team. "Nadeshiko Japan" was chosen from among about 2,700 entries and was announced on 7 July 2004. "Nadeshiko", a kind of dianthus
Dianthus
Dianthus is a genus of about 300 species of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae, native mainly to Europe and Asia, with a few species extending south to north Africa, and one species in arctic North America. Common names include carnation , pink and sweet William Dianthus is a genus of...
, comes from the phrase "Yamato Nadeshiko
Yamato Nadeshiko
is a Japanese term meaning "personification of an idealized Japanese woman", "ideal" in the historical context of the patriarchal, traditional culture of Japan...
" (大和撫子, "ideal Japanese woman").
2011 FIFA Women's World Cup
Japan qualified for the finals by finishing third in the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup
-Semi finals:-----Third place playoff:-Final:- Awards :-Goalscorers:3 goals Yoo Young-A Kozue Ando Homare Sawa Jo Yun-Mi2 goals Zhang Rui Mami Yamaguchi Samantha Kerr...
. After finishing second in their group behind England
England women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
, Nadeshiko Japan stunned two-time defending champion and host nation Germany
Germany women's national football team
The German women's national football team represents Germany in international women's football and is directed by the German Football Association . The team – informally called West Germany in English – played its first international match in 1982...
1–0 in the quarterfinals, before easily defeating Sweden
Sweden women's national football team
Sweden women's national football team are a football team officially representing Sweden in women's football. They won the unofficial European Championships in 1984, a success the team has not managed to repeat, it has however won one World Cup-silver as well as three European Cup-silvers...
3–1 to reach the final.
After the final game finished 2–2 after extra time, Japan stunned the United States 3–1 in a penalty shootout, becoming the first Asian team to win the FIFA Women's World Cup
FIFA Women's World Cup
The FIFA Women's World Cup is an international association football competition contested by the senior women's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the...
.
FIFA Women's World Cup Record
| Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 1991 |
Group Stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 12 | −12 |
 1995 |
Quarter Final | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | −6 |
 1999 |
Group Stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 10 | −9 |
| 2003 |
Group Stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 6 | |
| 2007 |
Group Stage | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
 2011 |
Champions | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 6 | |
| Total | 6/6 | 21 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 23 | 43 | −20 |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicksPenalty shootout (football)A penalty shoot-out, referred to as kicks from the penalty mark in the Laws of the Game, is the FIFA official term for a method used in association football to decide which team progresses to the next stage of a tournament following a tied game...
.
| FIFA Women's World Cup Record | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Score | Result |
| 1991 | Round 1 | 0 – 1 | Loss |
| Round 1 | 0 – 8 | Loss | |
| Round 1 | 0 – 3 | Loss | |
| 1995 | Round 1 | 0 – 1 | Loss |
| Round 1 | 2 – 1 | Win | |
| Round 1 | 0 – 2 | Loss | |
| Quarterfinals | 0 – 4 | Loss | |
| 1999 | Round 1 | 1 – 1 | Draw |
| Round 1 | 0 – 5 | Loss | |
| Round 1 | 0 – 4 | Loss | |
| 2003 | Round 1 | 6 – 0 | Win |
| Round 1 | 0 – 3 | Loss | |
| Round 1 | 1 – 3 | Loss | |
| 2007 | Round 1 | 2 – 2 | Draw |
| Round 1 | 1 – 0 | Win | |
| Round 1 | 0 – 2 | Loss | |
| 2011 | Round 1 | 2 – 1 | Win |
| Round 1 | 4 – 0 | Win | |
| Round 1 | 0 – 2 | Loss | |
| Quarterfinals | 1 – 0 | Win | |
| Semifinals | 3 – 1 | Win | |
| Final | 2 – 2 (3–1) | Draw |
Olympic Games Record
- 1996Football at the 1996 Summer OlympicsThe association football competition at the 1996 Summer Olympics was held in Birmingham, Alabama; Washington, D.C; Orlando, Florida; Miami, Florida; and Athens, Georgia....
: 1st Round - 2000Football at the 2000 Summer OlympicsThe football tournament at the 2000 Summer Olympics was the 20th official Olympic football tournament. A women's tournament was held for the second time.-Medal winners:-Venues:*Olympic Stadium, Sydney*Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney*Bruce Stadium, Canberra...
: Didn't Qualify - 2004 : Quarterfinals
- 2008Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's tournamentThe women's association football tournament at the 2008 Summer Olympics was held in Beijing and four other cities in the People's Republic of China from 6 August to 21 August. Associations affiliated with FIFA were invited to send their full women's national teams.For these Games, the women...
: 4th Place - 2012 : Qualified
| Olympic Games Record | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Score | Result |
| 1996 Football at the 1996 Summer Olympics The association football competition at the 1996 Summer Olympics was held in Birmingham, Alabama; Washington, D.C; Orlando, Florida; Miami, Florida; and Athens, Georgia.... |
Round 1 | 2 – 3 | Loss |
| Round 1 | 0 – 2 | Loss | |
| Round 1 | 0 – 4 | Loss | |
| 2004 | Round 1 | 1 – 0 | Win |
| Round 1 | 0 – 1 | Loss | |
| Quarterfinals | 1 – 2 | Loss | |
| 2008 Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament The women's association football tournament at the 2008 Summer Olympics was held in Beijing and four other cities in the People's Republic of China from 6 August to 21 August. Associations affiliated with FIFA were invited to send their full women's national teams.For these Games, the women... |
Round 1 | 2 – 2 | Draw |
| Round 1 | 0 – 1 | Loss | |
| Round 1 | 5 – 1 | Win | |
| Quarterfinals | 2 – 0 | Win | |
| Semifinals | 2 – 4 | Loss | |
| Third-place | 0 – 2 | Loss |
AFC Women's Asian Cup Record
- 19751975 AFC Women's ChampionshipThe Asian Football Confederation's 1975 AFC Women's Championship was the first AFC Women's Championship. It was held from August 25 to September 3, 1975 in Hong Kong. Participating members were New Zealand, Thailand, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia...
: Didn't Enter - 19771977 AFC Women's ChampionshipThe Asian Football Confederation's 1977 AFC Women's Championship was the second AFC Women's Championship. It was held from August 2 to August 11, 1977 in Taipei, Republic of China...
: Didn't Enter - 19791979 AFC Women's ChampionshipThe Asian Football Confederation's 1979 AFC Women's Championship was the third AFC Women's Championship. It was held between January 15 and January 21 1979 in Calicut, India...
: Didn't Enter - 19811981 AFC Women's ChampionshipThe Asian Football Confederation's 1981 AFC Women's Championship was the fourth AFC Women's Championship. It was held from June 7 to June 17, 1981 in Hong Kong. The tournament was won by for the third consecutive time by Chinese Taipei in the final against Thailand.-Group A:-Group B:-Knockout...
: Group Stage - 1983 : 4th Place
- 19861986 AFC Women's ChampionshipThe Asian Football Confederation's 1986 AFC Women's Championship was held in December 1986 in Hong Kong. The tournament was won by for the first time by China in the final against Japan.-Group A:-Group B:-Knockout stage:-Semifinal:----...
: 2nd Place - 19891989 AFC Women's ChampionshipThe Asian Football Confederation's 1989 AFC Women's Championship was held from December 19 to December 29, 1989 in Hong Kong. The tournament was won by for the second consecutive time by China in the final against Chinese Taipei.-Group A:-Group B:...
: 3rd Place - 19911991 AFC Women's Championship-Third place playoff:-Final:-External links:* at RSSSF.com...
: 2nd Place - 19931993 AFC Women's ChampionshipThe Asian Football Confederation's 1993 AFC Women's Championship was held from December 3 to December 12, 1993 in Kuching, Malaysia. The tournament was won for the fourth consecutive time by China in the final against North Korea.-Group A:-Group B:...
: 3rd Place - 19951995 AFC Women's ChampionshipThe Asian Football Confederation's 1995 AFC Women's Championship was held from September 23 to October 2, 1995 in Malaysia. The tournament was won by for the fifth consecutive time by China in the final against Japan.-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:...
: 2nd Place - 19971997 AFC Women's Championship-Final:-External links:* at RSSSF.com...
: 3rd Place - 19991999 AFC Women's ChampionshipThe Asian Football Confederation's 1999 AFC Women's Championship was held from November 7 to November 21, 1999 in Philippines. The tournament was won for the seventh consecutive time by China in the final against Chinese Taipei.-Group A:-Group B:...
: 4th Place - 20012001 AFC Women's Championship-Third place playoff:-Final:-Awards:...
: 2nd Place - 20032003 AFC Women's Championship-Third place playoff:-Final:-External links:**...
: 4th Place - 2006 : 4th Place
- 20082008 AFC Women's Asian Cup-Group B:---------------------Knockout Map:-Semi final:-----Third place playoff:-Final:-See also:*AFC Women's Asian Cup*Asian Football Confederation*Women's football...
: 3rd Place - 20102010 AFC Women's Asian Cup-Semi finals:-----Third place playoff:-Final:- Awards :-Goalscorers:3 goals Yoo Young-A Kozue Ando Homare Sawa Jo Yun-Mi2 goals Zhang Rui Mami Yamaguchi Samantha Kerr...
: 3rd Place
EAFF Women's Football Championship Record
- 2005 : 3rd Place
- 2008 : Champions
- 20102010 EAFF Women's Football ChampionshipThe third edition of the EAFF Women's Football Championship was held in 2010, with a preliminary qualification tournament held in 2009.-Semi-Final competition:...
: Champions
Asian Games Record
- 1990Football at the 1990 Asian GamesFootball at the 1990 Asian Games was held in Beijing, China from September 23 to October 6, 1990.-Medal winners:-Medal table:-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Group D:-Knockout stages:-Women:...
: Silver Medal - 1994Football at the 1994 Asian GamesFootball at the 1994 Asian Games was held in Hiroshima, Japan from October 1 to October 17, 1994.The women's tournament doubled the Asian qualification of 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup, where China PR and Japan qualified.-Medal winners:-Medal table:...
: Silver Medal - 1998Football at the 1998 Asian GamesFootball at the 1998 Asian Games was held in Bangkok, Thailand from November 30 to December 19, 1998.-Medal winners:-Medal table:-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Group D:-Group E: withdrew.-Group F:-Group G:...
: Bronze Medal - 2002Football at the 2002 Asian GamesFootball at the 2002 Asian Games was held in Busan, South Korea from September 27 to October 13, 2002.Age limit for the men teams is under-23, same as the age limit in football competitions in Olympic Games, while three overage players are allowed among each squad.-Medal table:-Medalists:-Group...
: Bronze Medal - 2006Football at the 2006 Asian GamesFootball at the 2006 Asian Games was held in Doha, Qatar from November 18 to December 15, 2006. The opening match was played 14 days prior to the opening ceremony. In this tournament, some 30 teams played in the men's competition, and 8 teams participated in women's competition.Turkmenistan, and...
: Silver Medal - 2010Football at the 2010 Asian GamesFootball at the 2010 Asian Games was being held in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China from November 7 to 25, 2010. The opening match was played 5 days prior to the opening ceremony...
: Gold Medal
Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score* | Venue | Competition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-05-14 | L | 0–2 | Columbus, Ohio Columbus, Ohio Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city... |
International Friendly | ||
| 2011-05-18 | L | 0–2 | Cary, North Carolina Cary, North Carolina Cary is a large town and suburb of Raleigh, North Carolina in Wake and Chatham counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located almost entirely in Wake County, it is the second largest municipality in that county and the third largest municipality in The Triangle after Raleigh and Durham... |
International Friendly | ||
| 2011-06-18 | D | 1–1 |  Matsuyama, EhimeMatsuyama, Ehime is the capital city of Ehime Prefecture on the Shikoku island of Japan. It is located on the northeastern portion of the Dōgo Plain. Its name means "pine mountain." The city was founded on December 15, 1889.... |
International Friendly | ||
| 2011-06-23 | D | 1–1 | Bochum Bochum Bochum is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, western Germany. It is located in the Ruhr area and is surrounded by the cities of Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Herne, Castrop-Rauxel, Dortmund, Witten and Hattingen.-History:... |
International Friendly | ||
| 2011-06-27 | W | 2–1 | Bochum Bochum Bochum is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, western Germany. It is located in the Ruhr area and is surrounded by the cities of Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Herne, Castrop-Rauxel, Dortmund, Witten and Hattingen.-History:... |
2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Group Stage | ||
| 2011-07-01 | W | 4–0 | Leverkusen Leverkusen Leverkusen is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany on the eastern bank of the Rhine. To the South, Leverkusen borders the city of Cologne and to the North is the state capital Düsseldorf.... |
2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Group Stage | ||
| 2011-07-05 | L | 0–2 | Augsburg Augsburg Augsburg is a city in the south-west of Bavaria, Germany. It is a university town and home of the Regierungsbezirk Schwaben and the Bezirk Schwaben. Augsburg is an urban district and home to the institutions of the Landkreis Augsburg. It is, as of 2008, the third-largest city in Bavaria with a... |
2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Group Stage | ||
| 2011-07-09 | W | 1–0 | Wolfsburg Wolfsburg Wolfsburg is a town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is located on the River Aller northeast of Braunschweig , and is mainly notable as the headquarters of Volkswagen AG... |
2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Quarterfinals | ||
| 2011-07-13 | W | 3–1 | Frankfurt Frankfurt Frankfurt am Main , commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2010 population of 688,249. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,300,000 in 2010... |
2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Semifinals | ||
| 2011-07-17 | D | 2–2 (3–1 p.s.o) | Frankfurt Frankfurt Frankfurt am Main , commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2010 population of 688,249. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,300,000 in 2010... |
2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Final | ||
| 2011-09-01 | W | 3–0 |  JinanJinan Jinan is the capital of Shandong province in Eastern China. The area of present-day Jinan has played an important role in the history of the region from the earliest beginnings of civilisation and has evolved into a major national administrative, economic, and transportation hub... |
2012 Summer Olympics Women's Asian Qualifiers Final Round | ||
| 2011-09-03 | W | 2–1 | Jinan Jinan Jinan is the capital of Shandong province in Eastern China. The area of present-day Jinan has played an important role in the history of the region from the earliest beginnings of civilisation and has evolved into a major national administrative, economic, and transportation hub... |
2012 Summer Olympics Women's Asian Qualifiers Final Round | ||
| 2011-09-05 | W | 1–0 | Jinan Jinan Jinan is the capital of Shandong province in Eastern China. The area of present-day Jinan has played an important role in the history of the region from the earliest beginnings of civilisation and has evolved into a major national administrative, economic, and transportation hub... |
2012 Summer Olympics Women's Asian Qualifiers Final Round | ||
| 2011-09-08 | D | 1–1 | Jinan Jinan Jinan is the capital of Shandong province in Eastern China. The area of present-day Jinan has played an important role in the history of the region from the earliest beginnings of civilisation and has evolved into a major national administrative, economic, and transportation hub... |
2012 Summer Olympics Women's Asian Qualifiers Final Round | ||
| 2011-09-11 | W | 1–0 | Jinan Jinan Jinan is the capital of Shandong province in Eastern China. The area of present-day Jinan has played an important role in the history of the region from the earliest beginnings of civilisation and has evolved into a major national administrative, economic, and transportation hub... |
2012 Summer Olympics Women's Asian Qualifiers Final Round | ||
| 2012-01-15 |  SydneySydney Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people... |
2012 Super Asian Open Cup | ||||
| 2012-01-20 | Sydney Sydney Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people... |
2012 Super Asian Open Cup | ||||
Coaches
- Ryōhei Suzuki (鈴木良平) 1986–1989
- Tamotsu SuzukiTamotsu SuzukiTamotsu Suzuki is a former Japanese football player. He was head coach of the 1991 and 1995 Japanese Women's National football teams, one of only nine coaches to coach two FIFA Women's World Cup teams....
(鈴木保) 1989–1996, 1999 - Satoshi Miyauchi (宮内聡) 1997–1999
- Shinobu Ikeda (池田司信) 2000–2001
- Eiji UedaEiji UedaEiji Ueda is a former Japanese football player. He has played for Fujita Industries.-References:**...
(上田栄治) 2002–2004 - Hiroshi Ōhashi (大橋浩司) 2004–2007
- Norio SasakiNorio Sasakiis the head coach of the Japan women's national football team and a former association football player. He served as coach of the women's U-20 team starting in 2006, and was named coach of the national team in 2008...
(佐々木則夫) 2008–
Current squad
The squad for 2012 Summer Olympics Women's Asian Qualifiers was announced on 9 August 2011.| # | Name | Date of Birth (Age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | |||||
| 1 | Ayumi Kaihori Ayumi Kaihori is a Japanese international footballer. A goalkeeper, she currently plays for INAC Kobe Leonessa.. She was also the starting goalkeeper for Japan in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Final, tallying 5 wins and 1 loss... |
27 | 0 | INAC Kobe Leonessa INAC Leonessa INAC Kobe Leonessa is a Japanese football club from Kobe, founded in 2001. INAC stands for International Athletic Club while Leonessa means Lioness in Italian.... |
|
| 12 | Miho Fukumoto Miho Fukumoto is a Japanese international footballer currently playing as a goalkeeper for L. League club Yunogo Belle. She played at the 2007 and 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.-References:... |
56 | 0 | Okayama Yunogo Belle |
|
| Defenders | |||||
| 2 | Yukari Kinga Yukari Kinga is a Japanese international footballer currently playing as a defender for L. League club INAC Kobe leonessa. She has played in the 2007 and 2011 FIFA Women's World Cups.-References:... |
72 | 4 | INAC Kobe Leonessa INAC Leonessa INAC Kobe Leonessa is a Japanese football club from Kobe, founded in 2001. INAC stands for International Athletic Club while Leonessa means Lioness in Italian.... |
|
| 3 | Azusa Iwashimizu Azusa Iwashimizu is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a defender for L. League club NTV Beleza. She has played in the 2007 and 2011 FIFA Women's World Cups. She was sent off in the last minute of extra time in the final, but Japan still defeated the United States.... |
74 | 8 | NTV Beleza NTV Beleza , is a women's football team which plays in Division 1 of Japan's L. League.-Domestic Competitions:*L. League Division 1**Champions : 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010... |
|
| 4 | Saki Kumagai Saki Kumagai is a Japanese international footballer. A central defender, she currently plays for 1. FFC Frankfurt in Germany after signing from Urawa Red Diamonds in 2011. She was part of Japan's World Cup-winning team in 2011, scoring the winning penalty in the final against the USA.-Club career:-Honors:Club... |
33 | 0 | 1. FFC Frankfurt 1. FFC Frankfurt 1. FFC Frankfurt is a German women's association football club based in Frankfurt, Hesse and has a membership of about 430. The team currently plays in the German first division women's Bundesliga.- History :... |
|
| 5 | Kyoko Yano Kyoko Yano is a Japanese international footballer currently playing as a defender for L. League club Urawa Reds Ladies. She has played in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 FIFA Women's World Cups.-References:... |
69 | 1 | Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies is a women's football club playing in Japan's football league, L. League. Its hometown is the city of Saitama in Saitama Prefecture.-Transition of team name:*Urawa Reinas F.C. : 1999 - 2001*Saitama Reinas F.C. : 2002 - 2004... |
|
| 14 | Megumi Kamionobe Megumi Kamionobe is a Japanese international footballer currently playing as a midfielder for L. League club Albirex Niigata Ladies. She played at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.-References:... |
17 | 2 | Albirex Niigata Ladies |
|
| 15 | Aya Sameshima Aya Sameshima is a Japanese international footballer. Mainly a left-sided defender, she currently plays for French club Montpellier in the Division 1 Féminine.-Domestic career:... |
38 | 2 |  Montpellier HSCMontpellier HSC (Ladies) Montpellier Hérault Sport Club Féminines is a French women's football club based in Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, a commune in the arrondissement of Montpellier. The club was founded in 1990. Montpellier currently play in the Division 1 Féminine having finished in 4th place in the 2009–10 season... |
|
| 16 | Asuna Tanaka Asuna Tanaka is a Japanese international footballer currently playing as a midfielder for L. League club INAC Kobe Leonessa. She played at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.-References:... |
6 | 2 | INAC Kobe Leonessa INAC Leonessa INAC Kobe Leonessa is a Japanese football club from Kobe, founded in 2001. INAC stands for International Athletic Club while Leonessa means Lioness in Italian.... |
|
| Midfielders | |||||
| 6 | Mizuho Sakaguchi Mizuho Sakaguchi is a Japanese international footballer currently playing as a midfielder for L. League club Albirex Niigata Ladies. She played at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.-References:... |
47 | 16 | Albirex Niigata Ladies |
|
| 8 | Aya Miyama Aya Miyama is a Japanese football midfielder who currently plays for Okayama Yunogō Belle of the L. League. She is also a member of the Japan's national team that won the 2011 Women's World Cup.-Early career:... |
104 | 26 | Okayama Yunogo Belle |
|
| 9 | Nahomi Kawasumi Nahomi Kawasumi is a Japanese international footballer currently playing as a midfielder for L. League club INAC Kobe Leonessa. She played at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, scoring both her goals of the tournament—including a lob at 35 yards away—against Sweden in the semifinals.... |
23 | 6 | INAC Kobe Leonessa INAC Leonessa INAC Kobe Leonessa is a Japanese football club from Kobe, founded in 2001. INAC stands for International Athletic Club while Leonessa means Lioness in Italian.... |
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| 10 | Homare Sawa Homare Sawa is a female football player from Japan. She currently plays for INAC Kobe Leonessa in the Nadeshiko League Division 1.- Career :Long considered Japan's finest female footballer, she made her debut in Japan's highest domestic league at age 12. On December 6, 1993, at age 15, she made her Japanese... (C) |
176 | 80 | INAC Kobe Leonessa INAC Leonessa INAC Kobe Leonessa is a Japanese football club from Kobe, founded in 2001. INAC stands for International Athletic Club while Leonessa means Lioness in Italian.... |
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| 13 | Rumi Utsugi Rumi Utsugi is a Japanese football player who currently plays for French club Montpellier of the Division 1 Féminine. She plays as a defensive midfielder and is also a Japanese women's international having represented her country at the 2007 and 2011 editions of the FIFA Women's World Cup, as well as two AFC... |
47 | 5 | Montpellier HSC Montpellier HSC (Ladies) Montpellier Hérault Sport Club Féminines is a French women's football club based in Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, a commune in the arrondissement of Montpellier. The club was founded in 1990. Montpellier currently play in the Division 1 Féminine having finished in 4th place in the 2009–10 season... |
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| 7 | Kozue Ando Kozue Ando is a Japanese international footballer. A midfielder, she currently plays for FCR 2001 Duisburg in Germany. She is a member of the Japanese national team, which defeated the United States in a penalty shoot-out in the finals to win the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.... |
97 | 17 | FCR 2001 Duisburg FCR 2001 Duisburg FCR 2001 Duisburg is a German women's football club from Duisburg. The first team plays in the Fußball-Bundesliga . They originate from a women's team formed in 1977 under the umbrella of FC Rumeln-Kaldenhausen and have existed as an independent club since 8th. June 2001... |
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| 11 | Shinobu Ohno Shinobu Ohno is a Japanese football player who plays as a forward. Her club team, as of 2011, is INAC Kobe Leonessa.After playing in the U-19 and U-20 teams for a short period, Ohno joined the senior Japanese national team in 2003. Her first major tournament was the 2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup, where Japan... |
97 | 36 | INAC Kobe Leonessa INAC Leonessa INAC Kobe Leonessa is a Japanese football club from Kobe, founded in 2001. INAC stands for International Athletic Club while Leonessa means Lioness in Italian.... |
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| 17 | Yūki Nagasato Yūki Nagasato is a Japanese women's football striker.She currently plays for 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam of the Women's Bundesliga and is a member of the Japan women's national football team. She also played for Japan in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, where they defeated the US in the final.-Career... |
75 | 32 | 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam is a women's football club team in Potsdam, Germany. The full name is 1. Frauen-Fußball-Club Turbine Potsdam 71 e. V. . They are one of the most successful teams in Germany... |
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| 18 | Karina Maruyama Karina Maruyama is a Japanese footballer from Tokyo. In the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany, Marayama scored a goal taking Japan to its first ever semifinals of the tournament on 9 July, 2011, defeating the host country.... |
68 | 14 | JEF United Ichihara Chiba JEF United Ichihara Chiba is a Japanese professional football club that plays in J. League Division 2. On February 1, 2005, the club changed its name from JEF United Ichihara to the current name after Chiba city had joined Ichihara, Chiba as its hometown in 2003. The club name, JEF -taken from JR East and Furukawa Electric-... |
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| 19 | Megumi Takase Megumi Takase is a Japanese international footballer. A striker, she currently plays for INAC Kobe Leonessa.-References:... |
19 | 4 | INAC Kobe Leonessa INAC Leonessa INAC Kobe Leonessa is a Japanese football club from Kobe, founded in 2001. INAC stands for International Athletic Club while Leonessa means Lioness in Italian.... |
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| 20 | Asano Nagasato | 4 | 0 | NTV Beleza NTV Beleza , is a women's football team which plays in Division 1 of Japan's L. League.-Domestic Competitions:*L. League Division 1**Champions : 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010... |
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FIFA Rankings
- July 2003 : 14
- August 2003 : 14 (→)
- October 2003 : 14 (→)
- December 2003 : 14 (→)
- March 2004 : 14 (→)
- June 2004 : 13 (↑)
- August 2004 : 13 (→)
- December 2004 : 13 (→)
- March 2005 : 12 (↑)
- June 2005 : 11 (↑)
- September 2005 : 11 (→)
- December 2005 : 11 (→)
- March 2006 : 11 (→)
- May 2006 : 13 (↓)
- September 2006 : 13 (→)
- December 2006 : 10 (↑)
- March 2007 : 9 (↑)
- June 2007 : 10 (↓)
- October 2007 : 11 (↓)
- December 2007 : 11 (→)
- March 2008 : 10 (↑)
- June 2008 : 10 (→)
- September 2008 : 9 (↑)
- December 2008 : 9 (→)
- March 2009 : 7 (↑)
- June 2009 : 7 (→)
- September 2009 : 6 (↑)
- December 2009 : 6 (→)
- March 2010 : 5 (↑)
- May 2010 : 5 (→)
- August 2010 : 5 (→)
- November 2010 : 5 (→)
- March 2011 : 4 (↑)
International
- FIFA Women's World CupFIFA Women's World CupThe FIFA Women's World Cup is an international association football competition contested by the senior women's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the...
- Champions: 2011
- OlympicsFootball at the Summer OlympicsAssociation football, usually known simply as football or soccer, has been included in every Olympiad except 1896 and 1932 as a men's competition sport. Women's football was added to the official programme in 1996.-Early history:...
- Olympics
- 4th Place: 2008Football at the 2008 Summer OlympicsFootball at the 2008 Summer Olympics was held in Beijing and several other cities in the People's Republic of China from 6 August to 23 August. Associations affiliated with FIFA were invited to send their full women's national teams and men's U-23 teams to participate...
Continental
- AFC Women's Asian Cup
- Runners-Up (4): 19861986 AFC Women's ChampionshipThe Asian Football Confederation's 1986 AFC Women's Championship was held in December 1986 in Hong Kong. The tournament was won by for the first time by China in the final against Japan.-Group A:-Group B:-Knockout stage:-Semifinal:----...
, 19911991 AFC Women's Championship-Third place playoff:-Final:-External links:* at RSSSF.com...
, 19951995 AFC Women's ChampionshipThe Asian Football Confederation's 1995 AFC Women's Championship was held from September 23 to October 2, 1995 in Malaysia. The tournament was won by for the fifth consecutive time by China in the final against Japan.-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:...
, 20012001 AFC Women's Championship-Third place playoff:-Final:-Awards:...
- Football at the Asian GamesFootball at the Asian GamesMen's Association football is an Asian Games sport since the 1951 edition. Women's football competition began in 1990.Since the 2002 Asian Games, age limit for men teams is under-23 plus up to three over aged players for each squad, same as the age limit in football competitions at the Summer...
- Football at the Asian Games
- Gold Medal(1): 2010Football at the 2010 Asian GamesFootball at the 2010 Asian Games was being held in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China from November 7 to 25, 2010. The opening match was played 5 days prior to the opening ceremony...
Regional
- EAFF Women's Football Championship
- Champions (2): 2008, 20102010 EAFF Women's Football ChampionshipThe third edition of the EAFF Women's Football Championship was held in 2010, with a preliminary qualification tournament held in 2009.-Semi-Final competition:...
FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Record
- 20022002 FIFA U-19 Women's World ChampionshipThe 2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship was held from August 17 to September 1. It was the first sanctioned youth tournament for women put together by FIFA. The tournament was hosted by Canada. FIFA granted the tournament to Canada in March 2001. Three cities hosted the tournament,...
: Quarterfinals - 20042004 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship-Group B:---------------------Group C:--------------------- Knockout Map :-Quarterfinals:-------------Semifinals:-----Third place play-off:-Final:-Awards:-All star team:-Goalscorers:...
: Didn't Qualify - 20062006 FIFA U-20 Women's World ChampionshipThe 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship was held in Russia from 17 August to 3 September 2006. It was the officially recognized world championship for women's under-20 national football teams...
: Didn't Qualify - 20082008 FIFA U-20 Women's World CupThe 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup was held in Chile between November 19 and December 7, 2008. Sixteen teams, comprising representatives from all six confederations, took part in the final competition, in which Chile had a guaranteed place as the host nation....
: Quarterfinals - 20102010 FIFA U-20 Women's World CupThe 2010 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup was held in Germany from July 13 to August 1. Sixteen teams, comprising representatives from all six confederations, were taking part in the final competition, in which Germany had a guaranteed place as the host nation....
: 1st Round - 20122012 FIFA U-20 Women's World CupThe 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup will be the 7th edition of the tournament. Sixteen teams, comprising representatives from all six confederations....
: Qualified
FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Record
- 20082008 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup-Group B:---------------------Group C:---------------------Group D:---------------------Knockout stage:All times local -Quarterfinals:-----------------Semifinals:---------3rd Place Playoff:----...
: Quarterfinals - 20102010 FIFA U-17 Women's World CupThe 2010 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup women's football tournament is the second such tournament, and was held in Trinidad and Tobago from September 5–25, 2010...
: 2nd place - 20122012 FIFA U-17 Women's World CupThe 2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup women's football tournament is the third such tournament, and will be held in Azerbaijan from 22 September to 13 October, following a decision by the Executive Committee on the 19th March 2010.-Mascot:...
: Qualified
AFC U-19 Women's Championship Record
- 2002 : Champions
- 2004 : Quarterfinals
- 2006 : 4th Place
- 2007 : 2nd Place
- 2009 : Champions
- 20112011 AFC U-19 Women's ChampionshipThe 2011 AFC U-19 Women's Championship was the 6th edition of the AFC U-19 Women's Championship. Vietnam hosted the tournament from 6 to 16 October 2011. The top 3 teams Japan, North Korea and China qualified to the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.- Seeding :...
: Champions
AFC U-16 Women's Championship Record
- 2005 : Champions
- 2007 : 2nd Place
- 2009 : 3rd Place
- 20112011 AFC U-16 Women's ChampionshipThe 2011 AFC U-16 Women's Championship was the 3rd editon of the AFC U-16 Women's Championship. The top 3 teams qualify for the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.-Venues:The host city was Nanjing in Jiangsu, China...
: Champions
See also
- JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
- Sport in JapanSport in JapanSports in Japan are a significant part of Japanese culture. Both traditional sports such as sumo and martial arts, and Western imports like baseball and association football, are popular with both participants and spectators....
- Football in JapanFootball in JapanAssociation football is one of the most popular sports in Japan. Its nationwide organization, Japan Football Association, administers the professional football league, J...
- Japan Football AssociationJapan Football AssociationThe Japan Football Association, sometimes known as the Japan Soccer Association , is the governing body responsible for the administration of association football in Japan. It is responsible for the national team as well as club competitions....
- Japan national football teamJapan national football teamThe Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...