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NEWS
Nadeshiko to play in Chilean tournament
As part of their preparations for next May’s Asian Cup, the Nadeshiko Japan women’s side will take part in an international friendly tournament in Chile from January 13 to 23, it was announced in Tokyo on Friday.
Japan’s 25-member squad for the tournament features seven newcomers along with familiar faces such as midfielders Homare Sawa, Aya Miyama and forward Shinobu Ohno.
In the six-nation round-robin competition – known as the Bicenntenial Women’s Cup – the Nadeshiko will play Denmark on January 13, Chile on January 16, Mexico on January 19, Colombia on January 21 and Argentina on January 23.
“I’ve selected these players from the 60-odd players who took part in our camp in November. We’d like to encourage competition for places on the team.” Nadeshiko coach Norihiro Sasaki said. “I would like to see how well the new players fit into the squad and how well they can show their abilities.”
Following their South American tour, the Japanese women will take part in the East Asian Championship in Tokyo, slated for February 6 to 13. The squad for the biennial tournament is expected to be announced on February 4.
Squad:
Goalkeepers—Nozomi Yamago (Urawa Reds Ladies), Miho Fukumoto (Okayama Yunogo Belle), Ayumi Kaihori (INAC Kobe Leonessa), Erina Yamane (TEPCO Mareeze)
Defenders—Akiko Sudo (Nippon TV Beleza), Yukari Kinga (Nippon TV Beleza), Kyoko Yano (Urawa Reds Ladies), Azusa Iwashimizu (Nippon TV Beleza), Aya Sameshima (TEPCO Mareeze), Kana Osafune (TEPCO Mareeze), Yuuri Kawamura (Albirex Niigata Ladies), Yuika Sugasawa (Albirex Niigata Ladies), Saki Kumagai (Urawa Reds Ladies)
Midfielders—Homare Sawa (Nippon TV Beleza), Aya Miyama (Okayama Yunogo Belle), Megumi Kamionobe (Albirex Niigata Ladies), Mami Yamaguchi (Umeo IK), Manami Nakano (Okayama Yunogo Belle), Rumi Utsugi (Nippon TV Beleza), Natsuko Hara (Nippon TV Beleza), Nanase Kiryu (Nippon TV Beleza)
Forwards—Kozue Ando (Urawa Reds Ladies), Ayako Kitamoto (Urawa Reds Ladies), Shinobu Ohno (Nippon TV Beleza), Megumi Takase (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
Coach—Norio Sasaki
