TOKYO (Reuters) - When Japan won the women’s World Cup in 2011, Saki Kumagai was just 20 years old but eight years and over 100 caps later, the Olympique Lyonnais defender is preparing to lead a young Japanese side into France 2019.
Captain Kumagai is one of four players, along with Aya Sameshima, Rumi Utsugi and Mizuho Sakaguchi, to have over 100 caps in coach Asako Takakura’s squad.
The young players in the Japanese squad, many of whom play for dominant club side Nippon TV Beleza, will be looking to Kumagai for both her experience and her understanding of French soccer.“It is the third World Cup for me; I think I know the atmosphere of the World Cup as we well as how difficult the first match could be,” said Kumagai, referring to Japan’s opener against Argentina on June 10.
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