Yukari Kinga facts for kids

Yukari Kinga is a famous Japanese football player. She was born on May 2, 1984. Yukari plays as a defender, which means she helps protect her team's goal. She currently plays for Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina in the WE League. Yukari also played for the Japan national team. She helped them win a World Cup and an Olympic silver medal! She stopped playing for the national team in 2016.

Quick facts for kids
Yukari Kinga
近賀 ゆかり

Kinga playing for Japan in 2011
Personal information
Full name	Yukari Kinga
Date of birth	(1984-05-02) 2 May 1984 (age 41)
Place of birth	Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Height	1.61 m (5 ft 3+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina
Number	2
Youth career
2000–2002	Shonan Gakuin High School
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2003–2010	Nippon TV Beleza	146	(30)
2011–2013	INAC Kobe Leonessa	42	(3)
2014	Arsenal	12	(0)
2015–2016	INAC Kobe Leonessa	36	(3)
2016–2017	Canberra United	13	(3)
2017–2019	Melbourne City	31	(6)
2019	Orca Kamogawa	18	(2)
2019–2020	Melbourne City	9	(1)
2020	Orca Kamogawa	0	(0)
2021-	Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina	0	(0)
Total		274	(44)
International career
2002	Japan U-20	4	(0)
2005–2016	Japan	100	(5)
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 Runner-up Nadeshiko League 2003 Runner-up Nadeshiko League 2004 Runner-up Nadeshiko League 2009 Winner Nadeshiko League Cup 2007 Winner Nadeshiko League Cup 2010 Winner Empress's Cup 2004 Winner Empress's Cup 2005 Winner Empress's Cup 2007 Winner Empress's Cup 2008 Winner 2009 {{{3}}} Runner-up Empress's Cup 2003 INAC Kobe Leonessa Winner Nadeshiko League 2011 Winner Nadeshiko League 2012 Winner Nadeshiko League 2013 Runner-up Nadeshiko League 2016 Winner Nadeshiko League Cup 2013 Runner-up Nadeshiko League Cup 2012 Winner Empress's Cup 2011 Winner Empress's Cup 2012 Winner Empress's Cup 2013 Winner Empress's Cup 2015 Winner Empress's Cup 2016 Representing  Japan Olympic Games Silver 2012 London Team FIFA Women's World Cup Gold 2011 Germany Silver 2015 Canada AFC Women's Asian Cup Bronze 2008 Vietnam Bronze 2010 China Asian Games Gold 2010 Guangzhou Team AFC U-19 Women's Championship Gold 2002 India
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 24 December 2019

Yukari Kinga's Football Journey

Yukari Kinga was born in Yokohama, Japan. She started her professional football career in 2003. She has played for many different clubs.

Playing in Japan

After high school, Yukari joined a team called Nippon TV Beleza in 2003. She played as an attacking midfielder and right-winger. In her first year, she won the Best Young Player award in the Nadeshiko League. Her team, Nippon TV Beleza, won the Nadeshiko League championship five times while she was there.

In 2011, Yukari moved to INAC Kobe Leonessa. She joined other famous players like Homare Sawa. At INAC Kobe Leonessa, her team won the Nadeshiko League championship three years in a row, from 2011 to 2013. She was also chosen as one of the league's best players for six years in a row!

Playing Abroad

In 2014, Yukari decided to play football in England. She joined Arsenal Ladies, a well-known club. She helped Arsenal win the FA Women's Cup in 2014. They won the final match 2-0 against Everton.

After playing for Arsenal, Yukari returned to Japan in 2015 to play for INAC Kobe again. In 2016, she started playing in Australia for Canberra United. In 2017, she joined Melbourne City, another Australian team. She played for Melbourne City until 2019.

Yukari then went back to Japan to play for Orca Kamogawa FC. She later rejoined Melbourne City for a short time in 2019-2020. In 2020, she returned to Orca Kamogawa FC. Since 2021, she has been playing for Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina.

Playing for Japan

Yukari Kinga also had a fantastic career playing for her country, Japan.

Early National Team Years

In 2002, when she was younger, Yukari was chosen for Japan's Under-20 national team. She played in the 2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship.

She made her first appearance for the senior Japan national team in 2005. She started as an attacking midfielder and right-winger.

Becoming a Key Player

Around 2007, her coach changed her position to rightback. This change helped her become a regular player for the national team. She played a very important role in many big tournaments.

Japan won the 2011 World Cup, and Yukari played in the final match! She also helped Japan win a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. In 2015, Japan came in second place at the 2015 World Cup.

Yukari played 100 games for Japan and scored 5 goals. She retired from international football in 2016.

Club Statistics

National Team Statistics

Japan national team Year Apps Goals 2005 1 0 2006 2 0 2007 16 0 2008 18 1 2009 3 1 2010 15 2 2011 17 0 2012 15 1 2013 1 0 2014 4 0 2015 5 0 2016 3 0 Total 100 5

International goals # Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 12 August 2008 Shanghai, China  Norway 1–1 1–5 Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics 2. 1 August 2009 Montargis, France  France 0–3 0–4 Friendly Match 3. 6 February 2010 Chōfu, Japan  China 2–0 2–0 2010 EAFF Women's Football Championship 4. 8 May 2010 Matsumoto, Japan  Mexico 1–0 4–0 Friendly Match 5. 1 April 2012 Sendai, Japan  United States 1–0 1–1 Kirin Challenge Cup

Awards and Achievements

Yukari Kinga has won many awards and championships throughout her career.

International Awards

• Summer Olympics: Silver Medal in 2012
• FIFA Women's World Cup: Champion in 2011
• Asian Games: Gold Medal in 2010
• East Asian Football Championship: Champion in 2008 and 2010

Club Championships

Nippon TV Beleza

• L.League: Champion five times (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010)
• Nadeshiko League Cup: Champion two times (2007, 2010)
• Empress's Cup: Champion five times (2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009)

INAC Kobe

• L.League: Champion three times (2011, 2012, 2013)
• Empress's Cup: Champion five times (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016)
• Nadeshiko League Cup: Champion in 2012

Arsenal

• FA Women's Cup: Champion in 2014

Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina

• WE League Cup: Champion two times (2023–24, 2024–25)

Individual Awards

• L.League Best 11: Six times (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
• L.League Best Young Player: 2003
• Nadeshiko League Cup MVP: 2007

See also

In Spanish: Yukari Kinga para niños