Asako Takakura
Asako Takakura is a prominent Japanese football player and manager known for her significant contributions to women's football.
She is married to former footballer Kazuhiko Takemoto, highlighting her connection to the sport both personally and professionally.
Takakura played for Yomiuri Beleza, where she won four consecutive L.League titles from 1990 to 1993.
Biography
Early Life
Asako Takakura was born on April 19, 1968, in Fukushima, Japan. She began her football journey at a young age, joining FC Jinnan in 1981, where she honed her skills and developed a passion for the sport.
Playing Career
Takakura's professional career took off when she joined Yomiuri Beleza in 1985. During her time with the club, she helped secure four consecutive L.League titles from 1990 to 1993 and earned MVP awards in both the 1992 and 1993 seasons. A versatile midfielder, she was recognized as a Best Eleven player seven times throughout her career. In 1999, she transitioned to Matsushita Electric Panasonic Bambina, later known as Speranza FC Takatsuki, before moving to the Women's Premier Soccer League club Silicon Valley Red Devils in 2000. She returned to Speranza FC Takatsuki in 2001 and concluded her playing career in 2004, having played 226 games in the L.League.
International Career
Takakura made her debut for the Japan national team at just 16 years old on October 17, 1984, against Italy. Over her international career, she participated in multiple AFC Championships, Asian Games, and World Cups, scoring 29 goals in 79 appearances until her retirement from international play in 1999.
Managerial Career
Transitioning from player to coach, Takakura began as an assistant coach for the Japan U-17 national team and quickly rose to prominence. She led the U-17 team to victory in the 2013 AFC U-16 Championship and the 2014 U-17 World Cup. In 2016, she made history as the first female manager of the Japan senior national team, leading them to the 2018 Asian Cup title. Her coaching prowess has earned her the AFC Women's Coach of the Year Award six times, solidifying her legacy in women's football.
Collected from open sources (2) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Career & Clubs
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Takakura goal.
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 and 1996 Summer Olympics. She played 79 games and scored 29 goals for Japan until 1999.
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. 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. 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.
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.
- Club
- Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza
- Club
- Japan women's national football team (1984–1996)
- Club
- Speranza Osaka
Clubs
- Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Belezacurrent
- Speranza Osakacurrent
- Japan women's national football team1984–1996
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Asako Takakura , also known as Asako Takakura-Takemoto or Asako Takemoto due to her marriage, is a Japanese football manager and former player. She played for Japan national team. She is a former manager of the Japan national team. Her husband is former footballer Kazuhiko Takemoto.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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