Standing at 1.68m tall, the 28-year-old is among the tallest members of Asako Takakura's 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France squad. The Urawa Reds player also boasts speed and times her shots to perfection.

These qualities were on show in the final of the Asian Games 2018’s Women’s Football Tournament. Japan had struggled to break down a full-strength China PR, but following a last-gasp counter-attack, Sugasawa’s diving header from an Emi Nakajima cross grabbed them the trophy.

Ahead of the tournament’s kick-off on Friday, the-AFC.com examines the Continent’s five France 2019 hopefuls, starting with Australia.

Twelve match officials will represent the Continent and we kick off the series by profiling the assistant referees who will be on duty in France 2019.

Australia lost 3-0 to the Netherlands in Eindhoven while Thailand suffered a 6-1 defeat against Belgium in Leuven as both Asian sides enter the last phase of preparations for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France which kicks off on Friday.

With the curtains ready to be drawn on the biggest stage in women’s football, Asia’s five representatives have all touched down in Europe, where they are adding the final touches to four years of hard work.

In this week’s Asian Watch: A rising Japanese star forced out of the tournament by injury, an inspiring reappearance on the world stage for Korea Republic’s Hwang Bo-ram and Tiffany Darunee Sornpao’s World Cup selection joy.

With one week until the Finals, the-AFC.com highlights five talented youngsters, all appearing in their first senior World Cup, to keep an eye on in France.

As the excitement for builds, the-AFC.com looks back to last year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Jordan, where the Continent’s top five survived the ruthless atmosphere of tournament football to stamp their passports to France 2019.