Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
London: Experienced Japanese duo Yukari Kinga and Shinobu Ohno have joined FA Women’s Super League (WSL) side Arsenal Ladies ahead of the Nadeshiko’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup campaign.
Defender Kinaga moves to the North London club from Japanese L.League champions INAC Kobe while former Kobe forward Ohno (pictured) arrives from two-time Women’s Champions League winners Olympique Lyonnais.
Both Kinga and Ohno were part of the Japan team that won the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the silver medal at the London Olympics the following year.
“Yukari and Shinobu are both extremely experienced internationals, who are proven at the very top level," Arsenal General Manager Vic Akers told the club’s official website.
"They will add real quality to our squad and we are delighted to welcome them to Arsenal Ladies.”
Kinga and Ohno move to Arsenal takes the number of Asian footballers plying their trade in the WSL to four, with their compatriot Yuki Ogimi and Korea Republic international Ji So-yun both lining up for Chelsea Ladies.
The quartet will soon by joined by Australia’s Caitlin Friend, who will make the move to Notts County Ladies after Melbourne Victory’s meeting with Brisbane Roar in the W-League Grand Final on February 23.
All five players are potential candidates to represent their country at the AFC Asian Cup 2014, which will be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from May 14 to 25.
Photo: AFP