Arsenal forward Mana Iwabuchi has been named in Japan’s final 18-player squad for next month’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The Japanese Football Association, The JFA, announced head coach Asako Takakura’s final squad for the Games earlier today with Arsenal forward Iwabuchi being the only UK-based player included in the team.
Iwabuchi’s inclusion in the squad was expected with the player having played a starring role for Japan in a number of their warm up matches over the last couple of months. The 28-year-old has netted five goals in her last four international fixtures while playing a role in creating several chances for her teammates. The player now has 34 goals for her country at senior level which leaves her in joint-sixth position in Japan’s all-time record goalscoring charts.
Japan are scheduled to participate in a practice match in Kyoto on 14 July before they begin their home Olympic Games Women’s Football Tournament on July 21. Nadeshiko take on Canada in their first match before facing Team GB three days later. Japan will complete their group campaign with a match against Chile on 27 July.
Tokyo 2020 will see Japan feature at an Olympic Games for the fifth time. They recorded their best result at London 2012 when they were silver medalists. The nation have failed to finish on the podium in their other three Olympics.
#なでしこジャパン🇯🇵 メンバー発表✍️
🏆第32回オリンピック競技大会(東京／2020)
🗓7.21(水)📍札幌ド
🆚カナダ女子代表🇨🇦
🗓7.24(土)📍札幌ド
🆚イギリス女子代表🇬🇧
🗓7.27(火)📍宮城ス
🆚チリ女子代表🇨🇱🏆MS&ADカップ2021
🗓7.14(水)📍サンガS
🆚対戦国未定#jfa #daihyo #nadeshiko #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/ii2SFqne49— JFAなでしこサッカー (@jfa_nadeshiko) June 18, 2021
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