Asako Takakura names Nadeshiko Japan squad for 2018 Tournament of Nations

Asako Takakura names Nadeshiko Japan squad for 2018 Tournament of Nations.

Nadeshiko Japan Head Coach Asako Takakura has announced her squad to take part in this year’s Tournament of Nations.

Japan will face USA, Brazil and Australia in the international friendly tournament which will run from July 26 to August 2.

Their opening match is against USA in Kansas City, take a look at all the 2018 Tournament of Nations Match Fixtures.

Among the team selection is debutante defender KUNITAKE Aimi (Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara). KUMAGAI Saki (Olympique Lyonnais/France) is excluded from the team selection due to schedule conflicts with her club, and SAKAGUCHI Mizuho (Nippon TV Beleza) is out due to injury.

Japan Squad for ToN 2018

Goalkeepers:

1 – IKEDA Sakiko (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies)
18 – YAMASHITA Ayaka (Nippon TV Beleza)
21 – HIRAO Chika (Albirex Niigata Ladies)

Defenders:

3 – SAMESHIMA Aya (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
6 – ARIYOSHI Saori (Nippon TV Beleza)
** OUT DUE TO INJURY 2 – UTSUGI Rumi (Seattle Reign FC/USA) *1
4 – MIYAKE Shiori (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
22 – SHIMIZU Risa (Nippon TV Beleza)
23 – KUNITAKE Aimi (Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara) *2
** OUT DUE TO INJURY 5 – ICHISE Nana (Mynavi Vegalta Sendai Ladies)
2 – Mayo Doko (Beleza)

Midfielders:

7 – NAKAJIMA Emi (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
15 – SAKAGUCHI Moeno (Albirex Niigata Ladies)
** OUT DUE TO HEALTH REASONS 12 – NAOMOTO Hikaru（SC Freiburg/Germany）*1
19 – MASUYA Rika (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
16 – SUMIDA Rin (Nippon TV Beleza)
17 – MOMIKI Yuka (Nippon TV Beleza)
14 – HASEGAWA Yui (Nippon TV Beleza)
24 – MIURA Narumi (Nippon TV Beleza)
12 – Hina Sugita (INAC kobe)

Forwards:

9 – KAWASUMI Nahomi (Seattle Reign FC/USA) *1
13 – SUGASAWA Yuika (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies)
8 – IWABUCHI Mana (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
20 – YOKOYAMA Kumi (AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies)
11 – TANAKA Mina (Nippon TV Beleza)

*1 UTSUGI, NAOMOTO, and KAWASUMI are scheduled to join the team on Mon. 23 July at Denver
*2 KUNITAKE called up to NADESHIKO JAPAN for the first time

** 23 July 2018 – Japan squad update (Thanks to WSU member @Josue)

JFA announced that the following players will retire from the competition.

DF Rumi Utsugi (Seattle Reign) -Because of injury
DF Nana Ichise (My Navi Vegalta Sendai Ladies) – Because of injury
MF Hikaru Naomoto (SC Freiburg) – Health reasons

In their place the following players have been called.

DF Mayo Doko (Beleza)
MF Hina Sugita (INAC Kobe)

It is the first time both players have been called to the senior national team. Sugita is the 2014 U17 FIFA World Cup and 2016 U20 FIFA World Cup Golden boot winner.