Kumagai relying on championship DNA to carry Japan's hopes

Thu, 06 Jul, 2023

Kumagai relying on championship DNA to carry Japan's hopes

Chiba: As the last remaining player to have experienced Japan's 2011 triumph, Saki Kumagai is set to shoulder her country once again in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia-New Zealand 2023 – but with plenty at stake.

There’s a lot riding on the shoulders of the Nadeshiko captain, from having to carry her team at the fast-approaching Women’s World Cup to passing on the 2011 championship DNA to the next generation of Nadeshikos and to playing for her long-time friend Mana Iwabuchi, who did not make the cut for Australia-New Zealand.