Asako Takakura has released her list of 25 players for next month’s international challenge with Banyana Banyana
Lyon defender Saki Kumagai and Freiburg midfielder Hikaru Naomoto lead Japan’s 25-woman team for their international friendly match against South Africa.
The 2020 Women’s Olympic Games hosts will face the 2018 Africa Cup of Nations runners-up on November 10 at the Kitakyushu Stadium, Fukuoka.
In a build-up to next year’s championship in Tokyo, the Nadeshiko ladies will continue their preparations with a warm-up game against the reigning Cosafa Cup champions.
It will be the second time the two nations will be meeting since their first-ever clash at the group stage of the London 2012 Women’s Olympic Games at Millenium Stadium in Cardiff.
In her selection, Elfen Saitama goalkeeper Natsumi Asano received a maiden call-up, while Urawa Red Diamonds defender Kiko Seike and teammate Akari Kurishima might earned their senior debut.
A notable absentee was Rumi Utsugi, who helped Seattle Reigns to the semi-final of the National Women’s Soccer League Championship before bowing 4-1 to North Carolina Courage this term.
11/10日(日)に福岡／北九州スタジアムで開催するMS&ADカップ2019 対南アフリカ女子代表戦に臨む #なでしこジャパン のメンバー25名を発表しました！#nadeshiko
MS&ADカップ2019
🆚南アフリカ女子代表
📅2019/11/10(日) 12:45KO予定
📍北九州スタジアム
✅https://t.co/gzf8iJcO5v pic.twitter.com/hnxle7nbWL— JFAなでしこサッカー (@jfa_nadeshiko) October 24, 2019
Asako Takakura’s side will open camp for the friendly on November 5, with training commencing at the Kitakyushu City Honjo Athletic Stadium same day.
FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Sakiko Ikeda, Ayaka Yamashita, Natsumi Asano
Defenders: Saki Kumagai, Arisa Matsubara, Shiori Miyake, Mayo Doko, Risa Shimizu, Kiko Seike, Asato Miyagawa, Moeka Minami
Midfielders: Emi Nakajima, Hikaru Naomoto, Akari Kurishima, Yuka Momiki, Yui Hasegawa, Hina Sugita, Narumi Miura, Jun Endo
Forwards: Yuika Sugasawa, Mana Iwabuchi, Mina Tanaka, Rika Masuya, Rikako Kobayashi, Riko Ueki
Be the first to comment