Azusa Iwashimizu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Azusa Iwashimizu
岩清水 梓

Personal information
Full name	Azusa Iwashimizu
Date of birth	(1986-10-14) 14 October 1986 (age 38)
Place of birth	Takizawa, Iwate, Japan
Height	1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Tokyo Verdy Beleza
Number	33
Youth career
1999–2002	Tokyo Verdy Beleza
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2003–	Tokyo Verdy Beleza	278	(21)
Total		278	(21)
International career
2006–2016	Japan	122	(11)
Medal record Nippon TV Beleza Winner Nadeshiko League 2005 Winner Nadeshiko League 2006 Winner Nadeshiko League 2007 Winner Nadeshiko League 2008 Winner Nadeshiko League 2010 Winner Nadeshiko League 2015 Winner Nadeshiko League 2016 Winner Nadeshiko League 2017 Winner Nadeshiko League 2018 Runner-up Nadeshiko League 2003 Runner-up Nadeshiko League 2004 Runner-up Nadeshiko League 2009 Runner-up Nadeshiko League 2011 Runner-up Nadeshiko League 2012 Runner-up Nadeshiko League 2013 Runner-up Nadeshiko League 2014 Winner Nadeshiko League Cup 2007 Winner Nadeshiko League Cup 2010 Winner 2012 {{{3}}} Winner 2016 {{{3}}} Winner 2018 {{{3}}} Winner Empress's Cup 2004 Winner Empress's Cup 2005 Winner Empress's Cup 2007 Winner Empress's Cup 2008 Winner Empress's Cup 2009 Winner Empress's Cup 2014 Winner Empress's Cup 2017 Winner Empress's Cup 2018 Runner-up Empress's Cup 2003 Representing  Japan Olympic Games Silver 2012 London Team FIFA Women's World Cup Gold 2011 Germany Silver 2015 Canada AFC Women's Asian Cup Gold 2014 Vietnam Bronze 2008 Vietnam Bronze 2010 China Asian Games Gold 2010 Guangzhou Team Silver 2006 Doha Team Silver 2014 Incheon Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 31 December 2018

Azusa Iwashimizu (岩清水 梓, Iwashimizu Azusa), born on October 14, 1986, is a Japanese footballer. She played as a defender for Tokyo Verdy Beleza in the WE League. She also played for the Japan national team. A defender's job is to stop the other team from scoring goals.

Playing for Clubs

Azusa Iwashimizu started her football journey in Takizawa. She joined the youth team of Nippon TV Beleza and then moved up to the main team in 2003. She played many games for them, appearing in 260 matches in the L.League until 2017. Her skills were recognized often, as she was chosen for the league's Best XI (a team of the best players) for 12 years in a row, from 2006 to 2017.

Playing for Her Country

Early Career with Japan

Azusa Iwashimizu made her first appearance for the Japan national team on February 18, 2006. She was 19 years old when she played against Russia.

World Cup and Olympic Success

She played in three World Cups: 2007, 2011, and 2015. The biggest highlight was winning the 2011 World Cup! She also earned a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

In the final moments of extra time during the 2011 World Cup Final, Azusa Iwashimizu received a red card. This meant she had to leave the game. However, Japan still managed to win the match in a penalty shootout that followed.

Key Goals and Achievements

Azusa Iwashimizu was a very important player when Japan won the 2014 Asian Cup. She scored the winning goal in two crucial matches: the semifinal against China and the final against Australia. She played a total of 122 games for Japan and scored 11 goals before 2016.

Awards and Honors

Azusa Iwashimizu has won many awards and honors throughout her career, both with her club and the national team.

Team Achievements

• Japan women's national football team
  • FIFA Women's World Cup
    • Champions: 2011
  • East Asian Football Championship
    • Champions: 2008, 2010
  • AFC Women's Asian Cup
    • Champions: 2014
• Nippon TV Beleza
  • L.League
    • Champions (11 times): 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
  • Empress's Cup
    • Champions (8 times): 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2017, 2018
  • Nadeshiko League Cup
    • Champions (5 times): 2007, 2010, 2012, 2016, 2018

Individual Awards

• L.League
  • Best Eleven (13 times): She was chosen as one of the best 11 players in the league for 13 different seasons, from 2006 to 2018.

See also

In Spanish: Azusa Iwashimizu para niños