Yukari Kinga is a celebrated Japanese football player known for her contributions to women's football.
She began her professional career with Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza in 2003, where she won multiple league titles.
Kinga debuted for the Japan women's national football team in 2005 and played a crucial role in their success.
Biography
Early Life
Yukari Kinga was born on May 2, 1984, in Yokohama, Japan. From a young age, she showed a passion for football, which led her to pursue a career in the sport. After graduating from high school, she joined Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza in 2003, where she quickly made a name for herself as an attacking midfielder and right-winger.
Career
During her time at Nippon TV Beleza, Kinga's talent shone brightly; she was awarded the Nadeshiko League's Best Young Player award in her debut season. Over the years, she helped her team secure five Nadeshiko League championships. In 2011, she transferred to INAC Kobe Leonessa, where she played alongside notable international players and contributed to the club's three consecutive league titles from 2011 to 2013. Kinga's impressive performance earned her a spot in the league's Best XI for six consecutive years (2007-2012).
In January 2014, Kinga made a significant move to Arsenal W.F.C. in England, where she played a pivotal role in leading the team to victory in the 2014 FA Women's Cup. After returning to Japan and playing for various clubs, including Canberra United FC and Melbourne City FC, she continued to showcase her skills on the field. Kinga's career also included a notable stint with the Japan women's national football team, where she played from 2005 to 2016, participating in the 2011 FIFA World Cup, where Japan emerged victorious, and earning a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Legacy
Kinga retired from international football in 2016, leaving behind a legacy as a talented midfielder who not only excelled at the club level but also made significant contributions to her national team. Her journey through various clubs and her achievements on the international stage have solidified her status as a prominent figure in women's football in Japan.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
In Japan until 2013
Kinga was born in Yokohama on 2 May 1984. After graduating from high school, she joined Nippon TV Beleza in 2003 where she played as attacking midfielder and right-winger. In the 2003 season, she was given the Nadeshiko League's Best Young Player award. During her time at Nippon TV Beleza, the club won the Nadeshiko League championship 5 times. In 2011, she moved to INAC Kobe Leonessa with international players Homare Sawa, Shinobu Ohno and Chiaki Minamiyama due to financial strain at the club. At INAC Kobe Leonessa, the club won the Nadeshiko League championship for 3 years in a row (2011–2013). She was selected to the league's Best XI for 6 years in a row (2007–2012). In January 2014, INAC's general manager revealed that Kinga had agreed to join English FA WSL club Arsenal Ladies and in February she officially signed the contract. At Arsenal, Kinga helped propel the club to reach the final of the 2014 FA Women's Cup which they won in a 2–0 margin over Everton. She re-signed with INAC Kobe in early 2015. In 2016, she began playing in the Australian W-League for Canberra United. In October 2017, Kinga joined defending W-League champions Melbourne City. In February 2019, she returned to Japan and joined Orca Kamogawa FC. In October 2019, Kinga re-signed with Melbourne City. In February 2020, it was announced that Kinga would re-sign with Orca Kamogawa at the end of the 2019–20 W-League season.
In August 2002, Kinga was selected by the Japan U-20 women's national team for the 2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship. On 29 March 2005, she debuted for the Japan women's national team against Australia. She was playing as an attacking midfielder and right-winger until 2007, when she was converted to rightback by manager Hiroshi Ohashi. After she converted her position, she became a regular player in the Japan national team. Japan won the 2011 World Cup in which Kinga played in the final, came second in the 2015 World Cup and earned a silver medal in the 2012 Summer Olympics. She played 100 games and scored 5 goals for Japan until her retirement in 2016.
- Club
- Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza (2003–2010)
- Club
- INAC Kobe Leonessa (2011–2013)
- Club
- Arsenal W.F.C. (2014–2014)
- Club
- INAC Kobe Leonessa (2015–2016)
- Club
- Japan women's national football team (2005–)
- Club
- Canberra United FC (2016–2017)
- Club
- Zhejiang Hangzhou WFC (2017–2017)
- Club
- Melbourne City FC (2017–2018)
- Club
- Zhejiang Hangzhou WFC (2018–2018)
- Club
- Melbourne City FC (2018–2019)
- Club
- Orca Kamogawa FC (2019–2019)
- Club
- Melbourne City FC (2019–2020)
- Club
- Orca Kamogawa FC (2020–2020)
- Club
- Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina (2021–)
Clubs
- Japan women's national football team2005current
- Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina2021current
- Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza2003–2010
- INAC Kobe Leonessa2011–2013
- Arsenal W.F.C.2014–2014
- INAC Kobe Leonessa2015–2016
- Canberra United FC2016–2017
- Melbourne City FC2017–2018
- Zhejiang Hangzhou WFC2017–2017
- Melbourne City FC2018–2019
- Zhejiang Hangzhou WFC2018–2018
- Melbourne City FC2019–2020
- Orca Kamogawa FC2019–2019
- Orca Kamogawa FC2020–2020
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Yukari Kinga is a Japanese former football player who played as a defender. She previously played for the Japan women's national football team, winning the 2011 Fifa World Cup and an Olympic silver medal before her international retirement in 2016.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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