Friendly: Japan coach, Ikeda unveils squad for Super Falcons clash

 

Nadeshiko of Japan head coach, Futoshi Ikeda has named a strong 25-woman squad for his team’s friendly against the Super Falcons of Nigeria.

The encounter is billed for the Noevir Stadium, Kobe on Thursday, October 6.

Ikeda named a number of foreign-based players in his team, including West Ham United duo, Risa Shimizu and Honoka Hayashi.

AS Roma of Italy defensive stalwart, Moeka Minami, North Carolina’s Fuka Nagano and Hana Takahashi, who plays for Urawa Reds Ladies were also included in the squad.

The Super Falcons defeated Japan 1-0 in the first ever meeting between both teams at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

Vera Okolo scored the decisive goal on 55 minutes after she was set up by Perpetua Nkwocha.

Two back-to-back friendlies in 2013 were won 2-0 each by the Nadeshiko.

The Super Falcons have lost their last four games, while Nadeshiko are unbeaten in their last six international matches in all competitions

Both countries will use the friendly to prepare for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

JAPAN FULL SQUA

Goalkeepers

Ayaka Yamashita (INAC Kobe)

Momoko Tanaka (Tokyo Beleza)

Chika Hirao (Albirex Niigata)

Defenders

Saki Kumagai (Bayern Frauen)

Ruka Norimatsu (Omiya Ardija)

Kiko Seike (Urawa Reds Ladies)

Moeka Minami (AS Roma)

Hana Takahashi (Urawa Reds Ladies)

Shiori Miyake (INAC Kobe)

Risa Shimizu (West Ham United)

Asato Miyagawa (NTV Beleza)

Saori Takarada (Linkopings)

Midfielders

Hikaru Naomoto (Urawa Reds Ladies)

Honoka Hayashi (West Ham United)

Nanami Kitamura (NTV Beleza)

Jun Endo (Angel City)

Shinomi Koyama (Cerezo Osaka)

Hina Sugita (Portland Thorns)

Fuka Nagano (North Carolina

Hinata Miyazawa (Sendai Ladies)

Aoba Fujino (NTV Beleza)

Forwards

Ayaka Inoue (Omiya Ardija)

Riko Ueki (NTV Beleza)

Mina Tanaka (INAC Kobe)

Maika Hamano (INAC Kobe)