Asako Takakura

Takakura was born in Fukushima on 19 April 1968. In 1981, she joined FC Jinnan. In 1985, she moved to Yomiuri Beleza. The club won L.League title for 4 years in a row (1990–1993). She was selected MVP awards in 1992 and 1993 season. She was also selected Best Eleven 7 times (1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997 and 1998). In 1999, her husband Kazuhiko Takemoto moved to Gamba Osaka. So, she moved to Matsushita Electric Panasonic Bambina (later Speranza FC Takatsuki) based in Osaka. In 2000, she moved to Women's Premier Soccer League club Silicon Valley Red Devils. In 2001, she returned to Speranza FC Takatsuki. End of 2004 season, she retired from playing career. She played 226 games in L.League.

On 17 October 1984, when Takakura was 16 years old, she debuted for Japan national team against Italy. She played at 1986, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1999 AFC Championship, 1990 and 1994 Asian Games. She was also a member of Japan for 1991, 1995 World Cup[1] and 1996 Summer Olympics. She played 79 games and scored 29 goals for Japan until 1999.[2]

Takakura started her coaching career as an assistant coach of the Japan U-17 national team at the 2009 and 2011 AFC U-16 Championships. As manager of the Japan U-17 team, she led the youth team to the title of the 2013 AFC U-16 Championship by winning over North Korea in the final. Next year, she led to the title of the 2014 U-17 World Cup by winning over Spain in the final. She repeated the achievement by mentoring the Japan U-20 national team to help them win the title of the 2015 AFC U-19 Championship, again by defeating North Korea in the final.[3]

On 27 April 2016, Takakura was appointed as the manager of the Japan senior national team becoming the first female to hold the post. She was also appointed as manager of the Japan U-20 team and won 3rd place at 2016 U-20 World Cup.[1] In 2018, she led to the title of 2018 Asian Cup.

Takakura has been given the AFC Women's Coach Of The Year Award Six times; in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.[3]

[2]

• Asako Takakura – FIFA competition record (archived)
• Asako Takakura at Soccerway
• Asako Takakura at WorldFootball.net
• Asako Takakura at Olympics at Sports-Reference.com (archived)
• "Takakura: Japan needs to rediscover confidence". FIFA.com. 8 February 2017. Archived from the original on 31 May 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
• "Asako Takakura". The Japan Times. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
• "Takakura hired as first female manager of Nadeshiko Japan". The Japan Times. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
• "Asako Takakura-Takemoto could become first female head coach of Japan". Womenssoccerunited.com. 11 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
• "It's official! Asako Takakura-Takemoto becomes first female head coach of Japan women's national team". Womenssoccerunited.com. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
• "Women's Coach of the Year 2015: Asako Takakura". AFC. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
• "Asako Takakura appointed Nadeshiko Japan coach – The Women's Game". Thewomensgame.com. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2017.