On Friday 10 May, Coach TAKAKURA Asako of the Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Team) held a press conference at JFA House in Tokyo, to announce the final roster for the international friendly match against the Spain Women's National Team and the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019.

Veteran players who have the experience at the Women’s World Cup, such as KUMAGAI Saki (Olympique Lyonnais/France), SAKAGUCHI Mizuho (Nippon TV Beleza), and IWABUCHI Mana (INAC Kobe Leonessa) were among the players named at the press conference, along with young talents making their first appearance at the World Cup, such as MINAMI Moeka (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies) and ENDO Jun (Nippon TV Beleza).

Coach Takakura named all 23 players herself and shared her commitment towards the tournament, “It has been three years with the team, and all of my time was spent to prepare for this World Cup.”

The coach explained the criteria she used when making the decision to finalise the roster, “There were four key aspects I focused on. Techniques with intelligence. The ability to run. Commitment towards the national team. And the willingness to fight for the team. I have chosen players who shares these traits at a high level. Additional abilities that can help out the team were also in consideration when determining the squad.” Coach Takakura continued to share her aspiration to win her country’s second world cup title, “I want my players to fight in behalf of all the players who wished to be at the world cup.”

At the press conference, the five training partners who will attend the training sessions from Wednesday 22 to Sunday 26 May, were also announced.

The Nadeshiko Japan will start its training on Wednesday 22. The team will hold an international friendly match against the Spain Women's National Team at Le Touquet, France, on Sunday 2 June, before heading into their first group stage match of the world cup against Argentina Women's National Team on Monday 10.

Comments

IMAI Junko, Chairperson of JFA Women's Committee
It has been three years since we appointed Coach Takakura Asako to manage the Nadeshiko Japan in April 2016. Since then, we have faced many challenges and prepared ourselves towards this tournament. All to reclaim the title. I will do my best to support the team and allow them to build on the legacy left by the past teams of the Nadeshiko Japan. It is also important to note that the Nadeshiko Japan has a tremendous influence over the development of the women’s football community. I sincerely hope that the team leaves a great impact at this women’s world cup that can help spread positive influence over the community.

TAKAKURA Asako, Coach of Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Team)
It has been three years with the team, and all of my time was spent to prepare for this World Cup. We have called up a total of 63 players, 90 players if we included those who were selected into the Challenge camp. We tried many players and many teams to seek for possibilities. During the span of a month, there will be things that goes in our favour and against our favour. I will demand our players to fight with courage and creativity, give their dedication, and overcome any adversity as a team. The players who did not make it into the final roster also showed great dedication and gave their full efforts. I want the team to fight in behalf of those players at the world cup.

Schedule

Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Team) Squad, Schedule

FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019

Tournament Dates: Fri. 7 June - Sun. 7 July 2019

Group Stage:
Tue. 11 June 2019 01:00 (Japan time)
vs Argentina Women's National Team

Fri. 14 June 2019 22:00 (Japan time)
vs Scotland Women's National Team

Thu. 20 June 2019 04:00 (Japan time)
vs England Women's National Team

Tournament Information