Yukari Kinga facts for kids

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	10
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 Empress's Cup 2009 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 (近賀 ゆかり, born May 2, 1984) is a famous Japanese football player. She plays as a defender for Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina in the WE League. Yukari also played for the Japan women's national football team. She helped her team win the World Cup and a silver medal at the Olympics. She retired from international games in 2016.

Yukari Kinga's Club Journey

Yukari Kinga was born in Yokohama, Japan, on May 2, 1984. After finishing high school, she started her professional football career.

Playing in Japan (2003-2013)

In 2003, Yukari joined Nippon TV Beleza. 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, she 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 (2011-2013). Yukari was chosen as one of the league's "Best XI" players for six years in a row.

Playing Abroad and Return to Japan

In January 2014, Yukari Kinga moved to England. She joined the FA WSL club Arsenal Ladies. With Arsenal, she helped the team win the FA Women's Cup in 2014. They won the final 2-0 against Everton.

After her time in England, she returned to INAC Kobe in early 2015. In 2016, she started playing in Australia for Canberra United in the W-League. In October 2017, she joined Melbourne City.

In February 2019, Yukari went back to Japan to play for Orca Kamogawa FC. Later that year, in October 2019, she rejoined Melbourne City. In February 2020, it was announced she would return to Orca Kamogawa again. She now plays for Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina.

Yukari Kinga's National Team Career

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

Early International Years

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

On March 29, 2005, she played her first game for the senior Japan women's national team. This game was against Australia. Until 2007, she played as an attacking midfielder or right-winger.

Becoming a Key Player

In 2007, her coach changed her position to rightback. After this change, she became a regular and very important player for the Japanese national team.

Yukari Kinga helped Japan achieve amazing success. They won the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. She played in the final match of this historic win. Japan also finished second in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. She also won a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

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

Awards and Achievements

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

International Honors

Japan

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

Club Honors

Nippon TV Beleza

• L.League:Champion (5): 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010
• Nadeshiko League Cup: Champion (2): 2007, 2010
• Empress's Cup: Champion (5): 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009

INAC Kobe

• L.League:Champion (3): 2011, 2012, 2013
• Empress's Cup: Champion (3): 2011, 2012, 2013
• Nadeshiko League Cup: Champion (1): 2012

Arsenal

• FA Women's Cup: Champion (1): 2014

Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina

• WE League Cup: Champion (1): 2023–24

Individual Awards

• L.League: Best 11 (6): 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