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)
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current club	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)
National team
2006–2016	Japan	122	(11)
Honours 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 Nadeshiko League Cup 2012 Winner Nadeshiko League Cup 2016 Winner Nadeshiko League Cup 2018 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
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 31 December 2018. † Appearances (Goals).

Azusa Iwashimizu (岩清水 梓, Iwashimizu Azusa, born 14 October 1986) is a famous Japanese football player. She is known for being a strong defender for her club, Tokyo Verdy Beleza, and for the Japan national team. Azusa has won many important football championships, including the FIFA Women's World Cup with Japan in 2011.

Azusa's Football Career

Azusa's Club Journey

Azusa Iwashimizu started her football journey in her hometown of Takizawa. She joined the youth team of Nippon TV Beleza (now Tokyo Verdy Beleza) and then moved up to the main team in 2003. She played in 260 matches in the L.League until 2017. Azusa was so good that she was chosen for the league's "Best XI" team for 12 years in a row, from 2006 to 2017! This shows how consistently well she played.

Playing for Japan's National Team

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

She has been a key player for Japan in many big tournaments:

• The 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup
• The 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup
• The 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup

Winning the World Cup

One of her biggest achievements was winning the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup with Japan. In the final game of that World Cup, she was sent off (given a red card) in the last minute of extra time. Even though she had to leave the field, Japan went on to win the match in a penalty shootout!

Olympic and Asian Success

Azusa also won a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. She was also very important in Japan's victory at the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup. She scored the winning goal in both the semifinal against China and the final against Australia.

By 2016, Azusa had played 122 games for Japan and scored 11 goals.

Azusa's Statistics

National Team Appearances and Goals

Awards and Achievements

Azusa Iwashimizu has won many awards and championships throughout her career.

Team Honors

Japan women's national football team

• FIFA Women's World Cup

  Champion: 2011

• East Asian Football Championship

  Champion: 2010

• AFC Women's Asian Cup

  Champion: 2014

Nippon TV Beleza (Club Team)

• L.League (Japan's top women's football league)

  Champions (11 times): 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

• Empress's Cup (a major knockout cup competition)

  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

  Azusa was chosen as one of the best 11 players in the league for 13 years! (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)

See also

In Spanish: Azusa Iwashimizu para niños