Japan women's head coach Asako Takakura announced her squad that will compete in the 2019 SheBelieves Cup that begins in Chester on Wednesday, February 27.
The squad is a very youthful one, with seven players looking for their first senior caps while 12 of the 23 players are under the age of 23 years old. The squad includes three players from Japan's FIFA Women's U-20 World Cup winning squad. Japan will face off against the United States in Chester and tickets for the match are still available and can be purchased below as part of the Union's Club and Country package that includes tickets to the Union's home opener against Toronto FC on Saturday, March 2nd as well as admission to both SheBelieves contests.
For Club and Country Package available now
Below is Japan's roster information:
Japan's Women's National Team 2019 SheBelieves Cup Roster (Current Club)
Goalkeepers (3): Erina Yamane (Real Betis, Spain), Sakiko Ikead (Urawa Reds), Ayaka Yamashita (NTV Beleza).
Defenders (8): Aya Sameshima Inac (Kobe Leonessa), Saori Ariyoshi (NTV Beleza), Saki Kumagai (Olympique Lyonnais, France), Risa Shimuzu (NTV Beleza), Risako Oga (Nojima Stella Kanagawa), Nana Ichise (Vegalta Sendai), Asato Miyagawa (NTV Beleza), Moeka Minami (Urawa Reds).
Midfielders (7): Rumi Utsugi (Seattle Reign, USA), Emi Nakajima (INAC Kobe Leonessa), Moeno Sakaguchi (Albirex Niigata), Arisa Matsubara (Nojima Stella Kanagawa), Yui Hasegawa (NTV Beleza), Hina Sugita (INAC Kobe Leonessa), Narumi Miura (NTV Beleza).
Forwards (5): Kumi Yokoyama (AC Naganao Parceiro), Yuka Momiki (NTV Beleza), Mayu Ikejiri (Suwon WFC, South Korea), Rikako Kobayashi (NTV Beleza), Jen Undo (NTV Beleza).
