Division 1 Féminine update: - This match-day, the clash between the teams where our Japanese girls in France play was scheduled: unsurprisingly, OL defeated Paris FC with a 0-4 score (the only mild surprise is that Paris FC's girls were spared the typical 5th goal). Nothing new on the Paris FC's front, since Ami Otaki didn't see the pitch; it's more surprising, though, that in OL Kumagai was subbed-in at 74' only: when Henry recently came back from NWSL, it was obvious that one of OL's starters in the midfield had to be sacrified and at the moment it looks like it's Saki, as much important that she has always been so far for her team. Maybe I am reading too much into a random situation, but it's the second time in a row that she doesn't start and that she's subbed-in in the middle of 2nd half only (the Coupe de France match vs a regional-league team could have been just a coincidence, but the league match could be a worse signal: we're going to see what happen in the next matches, including Champions' League ones). You can see short highlights from the match starting at about 2'35" of the following video (by the way, in the action of 3rd Hegerberg's goal, wasn't Majri off-side? ):
Liga Fémenina's update: - Real Betis beats Espanyol by 2-0, but once again (as it happened in last week's derby vs Sevilla) Erina Yamane wasn't on the pitch nor on the bench. I have to believe that she's injured: does anyone know anything about this situation? I checked Real Betis's website (it doesn't have any news about women's team) and Real Betis Féminas' Twitter account, but I didn't find any mention of Erina. In the same match, though, I found trace of another Japanese player: I remember that, in last year thread, someone had posted a very interesting list of Japanese players in Spanish leagues at various levels; I don't remember if Ayaki Shinada had been mentioned: apparently, she plays in Espanyol Barcelona, and she entered at 46' of the match vs Real Betis (earning a Yellow Card soon after). Where did she play in Japan, before transfering in Spain? Here is a photo from yesterday's match: To complete the report about Japanese players in Spanish First Division, Michi Goto ungloriously sat on the bench all time in a Real Sociedad's loss by 3-1 in Valencia. I also found another name that I didn't remember of in next-to-last placed club Santa Teresa CD: in yesterday's away loss by 1-0 vs Athletic Bilbao, there was a Japanese player on the pitch for 63' minutes, some Hitomi Tomiyama. I confess I don't remember where she comes from either.
"Ayaki Shinada (Espanyol) Tomo Matsukawa, Hitomi Tanaka (Albacete) Ayano Dozono (Granadilla) Michi Goto (Real Sociedad) Hitomi Tomiyama (Santa Teresa) Minori Chiba, Maya Yamamoto (Zaragoza) Erina Yamane (Betis)" It was me, you're welcome again
This is a little late but I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year, especially to you blissett for keeping us up-to-date on the overseas Nadeshiko players. You have been the heart and soul of this thread and I for one truly appreciate your efforts. I also want to give a shout out to unepomme for keeping us informed about all the different leagues and tournaments in Japan itself. Without you, we would have no clue what is happening in Japan. どうもありがとうございました!
So don't leave us hanging. Who are these two beauties? I tend to find most Nadeshiko league players cute, but a little boyish, but these two…WOW! The first one looks almost like an idol singer.
Thanks. Actually, we've lost quite a few friends along the way, in those last years, and I greatly miss all of these contributions! But I cross fingers for some of them to come back for the Asian Cup 2018 or (especially!!!) for WWC 2019!
Thanks again, KAP. It's very difficult for me to follow Spanish Liga, with so many teams and so many Japanese players, in minor clubs also, so your help is invaluable. I'll complete this week's report with the other names you mentioned (although it's been a not so good week for Japanese colours): - Albacete lost 4-3 to Atletico Madrid; Tomo Matsukawa was on the pitch for the whole game, while Hitomi Tanaka sat on the bench; - Ayano Dozono wasn't listed for Granadilla (that anyway won by 3-1 an home match vs Rayo): maybe she's injured? - Zaragoza lost by 2-0 to league-leaders of Barcelona; Maya Yamamoto played the whole game, while I saw no trace of Minori Chiba (maybe injured too?).
It's my favorite eyes! Spoiler (Move your mouse to the spoiler area to reveal the content) Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler Kitagawa Hikaru
Some article says that Waseda captain and the Empress's Cup MVP Nakamura Mizuki is now trying to enter Spanish Liga.
Ikeda has left the camp due to poor health (flu?) http://www.jfa.jp/nadeshikojapan/news/00016018/?fb_nj_20180116
宮間あや(元日本女子代表サッカー選手) Got the question...does it says above that Aya Miyama is a former soccer player? - that note is from symposium held by Tenri University back in November last year where Miyama was one of the invited spekers. http://www.tenri-u.ac.jp/calendar/q3tncs00001gx85u.html
It wouldn't surprise me, since, after one year of silence, I guess few really believe that she will come back. What stings me, though, is that such a key-player for the history of women's football in the world (not only Japan) didn't get any "official" retirement. I mean, Sawa had an heck of a final curtain, with the Empress' Cup final from 2016, where she was properly celebrated and even scored and won her final title. Miyama would have surely deserved something similar: her career had to end on the pitch, not through this defeaning silence!
Names, names, names! When they have a so thick make-up and wear a kimono instead of jersey and shorts I am never sure if I actually recognize them!
Chiba had a broken tibia and fibula one year ago and is in her final stage of recovery. Anyone has more info about Mana's injury? I hope is not her knee again
IF... the above is indeed the case.... For a player of the calibre and importance to the womens game as Aya Miyama to fade away like a sunset on a cloudy day is a great sadness. Whilst a tickertape parade through downtown Tokyo with a bigscreen video of WWC 2011 playing in the background was never going to happen upon her retirement it would have been nice to read a JFA statement acknowledging her great contribution to Japanese womens football (and indeed world womens football). E.g......"Miyama Aya has announced her retirement from international duties to concentrate on... etc etc etc JFA would like to acknowledge her contribution to ...etc etc etc......" However due to the 'deafening silence' and the absence of a definitive statement about her future from the player herself this was never going to happen either. Therefore we are left with a situation I'm sure we would agree is unsatisfactory and unacceptable. We seldom if ever get to know the politics etc behind the significant events (and non events) in the game but perhaps at least we hearabouts could do our bit to acknowledge Aya Miyama's contribution to the game. Would someone (certainly someone with more gravitas than me) on the forum like to volunteer a history/tribute type post that we could sign up to. Then at least some of the individuals she brought great joy to will have the opportunity to express their gratitutude and goodwill. (of course if we subsequently discover of her impending comeback this post is a bit of a non event... however I hope that it would be recieved in the spirit it was intended)
https://www.businessinsider.jp/post-159589 Some info on what Nagasato is up to... I have not read all of it but it appears that her focus is not necessarily on NT... and I could be wrong.
永里:いずれはアカデミーやクラブチームを作れたらと思っています。アカデミーは海外移籍のステップと位置付けて、世界で勝てるチームを育成したい。海外移籍にもれた選手も国内のクラブチームで活躍してもらう。地域とも連携して貢献できるようなチームにしていきたいです。日本女子サッカーがまた世界のトップになれるよう、自分の経験を活かせたら嬉しいですね。 - above she says that she has plan to start sport academy or soccer team and move it later to US as well(?) all for the sake of improviement of Japan footballl(?) Anyway It's possible that Nagasato will go Pernille Harder way when off season (Harder's working in her own football academy with children). (the jumper she wears on the photo in addition to dark trousers - spot on -- lovely and elegant)
She also founded a company called Leidenschaft last year since everything is about passion, and below the interview the interviewer likens her with Honda's similar(?) football academy efforts.
このたび、『2018 沖縄 Familymart Dream Match』を開催することが決定しました!それに伴い、2月13日(火)~18日(日)まで沖縄キャンプを行ないます。少し遠いですが2018シーズンの新しいINACをぜひご覧下さい!!https://t.co/BmOKQIK2ub pic.twitter.com/ESgscqd2Cm— INAC神戸レオネッサ公式 (@inac_kobe2001) January 18, 2018 INAC Kobe vs. Suwon City