Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tokyo: Nadeshiko coach Norio Sasaki has announced a 21-member squad for the Swedish Invitational Tournament to be organized as part of the preparation for the London Olympics 2012.
The three-nation tournament will feature hosts Sweden and powerhouses United States with the Nadeshiko scheduled to take on US on June 18 followed by a June 20 clash against the hosts in Goteborg.
Japan travel to London to take part in the 2012 Olympiad looking to add Olympic gold to their 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup title and their 2010 Asian Games gold.
The reigning World champions have been pooled with Sweden, Canada and South Africa in Group F and the Nadeshiko will open their campaign against Canada on July 25 at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena.
Japan and DPR Korea are the two representatives from Asia in women’s football in the 2012 London Olympics. In the six-team final qualification round, Japan finished top with 13 points from five matches while DPR Korea ended up second with 11 points from the same number of matches.
The squad: Miho Fukumoto, Ayumi Kaihori, Yukari Kinga, Kyoko Yano, Azusa Iwashimizu, Aya Sameshima, Saori Ariyoshi, Saki Kumagai, Homare Sawa, Aya Miyama, Nahomi Kawasumi, Megumi Kamionobe, Mizuho Sakaguchi, Asuna Tanaka, Rumi Utsugi, Kozue Ando, Shinobu Ohno, Yuki Nagasato, Ami Ohtaki, Megumi Takase and Mana Iwabuchi.