93. Yuika Sugasawa
The 29-year-old showed glimpses of her talent in 2019 as she also reacheds the 100 for the first time. She’s helped her club to second in the Nadeshiko League, trailing champions NTV Beleza by just three points. Sugasawa played a bit-part role for Japan during the early part of 2019 as head coach Asako Takakura put her priorities with her younger players with a long-term view to next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo. Sugasawa though returned to the fore at the summer’s World Cup, scoring a crucial second goal against Scotland in Group D. She was unlucky to see a low effort cannon back off the post in the second round tie against Netherlands with the score 1-0 to the Netherlands before Japan eventually lost 2-1.
Mami Yamaguchi and Aya Miyama, former Japan internationals:
“She is very comfortable when it comes to keeping the ball under pressure. With that ability, the team often gets rescued in the game and can flip the parts of the game to their advantage. She is a versatile striker, who can finish with both feet and her head.”
| ⇐ 94. Leah Williamson | 92. Marta Torrejon ⇒ |
The Offside Rule 