Nadeshiko Japan ponders future after another major tournament exit
Friday's Olympic quarterfinal loss to Sweden highlighted the gap in physicalities and playing styles between head coach Asako Takakura's side and the rest of the world.
Nadeshiko Japan squad for Tokyo Olympics announced as Mana Iwabuchi inherits No. 10
Head coach Asako Takakura has chosen five overseas-based players to join 13 WE Leaguers at Japan's first Summer Games since London 2012.
Nadeshiko Japan scores eight goals against Ukraine in Olympic warmup
Nadeshiko Japan will continue its Olympic preparations with a friendly against 28th-ranked Mexico on Sunday.
Nadeshiko captain Saki Kumagai to leave Lyon at end of season
Japan women's national soccer team captain Saki Kumagai announced on Instagram on Tuesday she will be leaving Olympique Lyonnais after eight years with the French team. The 30-year-old Kumagai, who was a member of the silver-winning 2012 London Olympic team as well as the team ...
Saki Kumagai excited about chance to play Women's World Cup in adopted home country
Japan midfielder Saki Kumagai has a special reason to look forward to her country's opening match in the Women's World Cup — her adopted home is France. Kumagai has been with Lyon since 2013, and has helped the French side become Europe's pre-eminent force in ...
Nadeshiko's Saki Kumagai a finalist for BBC honor
With over 100 international caps and six seasons of service for women's soccer titan Olympique Lyonnais, defender Saki Kumagai is already recognized by those in the know as one of the sport's top players. Now the rest of the world will have a chance to ...
Kumagai helps Olympique Lyonnais capture consecutive Champions League titles
Japan defender Saki Kumagai lifted the UEFA Women's Champions League crown for the second time as defending champion Olympique Lyonnais beat French rival Paris Saint Germain 7-6 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes on Thursday. Playing in defensive midfield, Kumagai fulfilled her duty by ...
Nadeshiko Japan defender Saki Kumagai signed a three-year extension with Lyon through June 2020, the women's European Champions League holder announced Thursday. The 26-year-old World Cup winner joined Lyon in 2013 from Frankfurt. Lyon, 10-time defending French league champion, has again reached the Champions League ...
Defender Saki Kumagai was among 10 players nominated Thursday for the Best FIFA Women's Player 2016 award. Kumagai, who helped Japan win the 2011 Women's World Cup, won the European Champions League, along with a domestic league and cup double with her French club Olympique ...
All eyes will be on new Nadeshiko Japan manager Asako Takakura and her newly assembled charges when Japan faces world champion United States on Thursday in the first game of a two-match friendly tour. The 48-year-old Takakura, who led Japan to titles at the 2014 ...
Kumagai penalty helps secure Champions League title for Lyon
Nadeshiko Japan defender Saki Kumagai helped Olympique Lyonnais capture their third Champions League title on Thursday after she put in a player-of-the-match performance and converted the final spot kick to clinch a 4-3 shootout victory against Wolfsburg following a 1-1 draw. Kumagai, who scored the ...
Ogimi, Kumagai in contention for FIFA Women's Player of the Year
Japan internationals Yuki Ogimi of Chelsea and Lyon's Saki Kumagai on Friday were among 10 women on FIFA's shortlist for the 2013 Women's Player of the Year. Abby Wambach of the United States and five-time winner Marta of Brazil were also on the list of ...
