Saki Kumagai: A Bridge Between Eras in Japanese Football
Saki Kumagai, the esteemed defender now playing for London City Lionesses in the Women's Super League, reflects on her illustrious career and her pivotal role in guiding Japan's emerging football talents. With successful stints at top clubs like OL Lyonnais and Bayern Munich, Kumagai stands as a sole link between Japan's historic 2011 World Cup victory and its current youthful squad.
From World Cup Glory to Mentorship
At 35, Kumagai is the last remaining player from Japan's 2011 World Cup-winning team, where she scored the decisive penalty against the USA. That triumph, coming just months after a devastating earthquake and tsunami, united a nation. Today, she finds herself alongside teammates who were mere children during that era, such as Maika Hamano, who was seven at the time.
When asked about ranking her Asian Cup win among her many titles, Kumagai laughs and declines to compare. "I never compare my titles," she says. "This team is from a different generation, so winning a trophy in this tournament was really impressive. We couldn't win four years ago. This national team is a new team, and I hope this makes us more confident."
Nurturing the Next Wave of Talent
Kumagai emphasizes her focus on fostering a supportive environment for young players. "I didn't give that much advice to young players," she admits modestly. "But from my experience, playing in noisy, big crowds where we can't hear teammates, I tried to lead through how I played." She is not surprised by the rapid rise of Japan's new stars, attributing it to the Japanese Football Federation's 50-year vision launched in 2005, which aims to grow participation, improve rankings, and host and win a World Cup.
Halfway through this plan, Japan ranks fifth in FIFA's women's rankings, boasting achievements like Olympic silver, a 2015 World Cup final appearance, and multiple Asian Cup victories. The establishment of Asia's first full-time professional women's league in 2021 has further propelled the team, now driven by young talents playing overseas.
Passing the Baton to Future Generations
As her career winds down, Kumagai sees her role as a mentor crucial. "We have a lot of good young players with potential and confidence," she notes. "Many are playing in Europe, getting valuable playing time and performing well. As an experienced player, I try to make the national team a good environment for the next generation. I want to build team harmony and share my experiences and attitude with them. I feel like that is my role: to pass the baton to the next generation and show them how to perform in key moments."
With Kumagai's guidance, Japan's women's football looks poised to continue its ascent, blending legacy with innovation for a brighter future in the sport.
