Mizuho Sakaguchi


Mizuho Sakaguchi is a former Japanese footballer who played as a midfielder. She last played for Omiya Ardija Ventus in the WE League and the Japan national team.

Club career

Sakaguchi was born in Sakai on October 15, 1987. In 2003, at the age of 15, she debuted in the L.League at Speranza FC Takatsuki. After graduating from high school, she joined Tasaki Perule FC in 2006. She was selected Best Eleven in 2007. However, the club was disbanded in 2008 due to financial strain. She went to the United States and joined USL W-League club FC Indiana in 2009. In 2010, she returned to Japan and joined Albirex Niigata. She was selected Best Eleven in 2011. In 2012, she moved to Nippon TV Beleza. She was selected MVP awards for 3 years in a row. She was also selected Best Eleven for 5 years in a row.

National team career

In July 2006, Sakaguchi was selected to be on the Japan national team for the 2006 Asian Cup. At this competition, on July 19, she debuted and scored 2 goals against Vietnam. She played in the 2011 World Cup where Japan won the championship; Sakaguchi scored one of the penalties in the shootout against United States in the final. She also played in the 2015 World Cup where Japan came second. She was also part of the silver medal-winning 2012 Summer Olympic team. From June 2016, she was given the number 10 shirt for Japan by new manager Asako Takakura. She played 124 games and scored 29 goals for Japan until 2018.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1July 19, 2006Hindmarsh Stadium3–05–02006 AFC Women's Asian Cup
2July 19, 2006Hindmarsh Stadium4–05–02006 AFC Women's Asian Cup
3July 21, 2006Hindmarsh Stadium6–111–12006 AFC Women's Asian Cup
4July 21, 2006Hindmarsh Stadium10–111–12006 AFC Women's Asian Cup
5November 30, 2006Al-Arabi Stadium, Doha5–013–02006 Asian Games
6November 30, 2006Al-Arabi Stadium, Doha6–013–02006 Asian Games
7November 30, 2006Al-Arabi Stadium, Doha7–013–02006 Asian Games
8November 30, 2006Al-Arabi Stadium, Doha9–013–02006 Asian Games
9November 30, 2006Al-Arabi Stadium, Doha11–013–02006 Asian Games
10December 4, 2006Al-Gharafa Stadium, Al-Rayyan1–04–02006 Asian Games
11February 14, 2007Cyprus1–02–0Friendly
12February 14, 2007Cyprus2–02–0Friendly
13August 12, 2007National Olympic Stadium (Tokyo)5–05–0Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's qualification
14March 10, 2008Dasaki Stadium1–03–12008 Cyprus Cup
15November 14, 2010Huangpu Sports Center, Guangzhou3–04–02010 Asian Games
16September 3, 2011Jinan Olympic Sports Center1–02–1Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's Asian Qualifiers
17August 6, 2012Wembley Stadium2–02–12012 Summer Olympics
18September 26, 2013Chiba Soga Football Stadium2–02–0Friendly
19May 18, 2014Gò Đậu Stadium3–07–02014 AFC Women's Asian Cup
20May 18, 2014Gò Đậu Stadium6–07–02014 AFC Women's Asian Cup
21September 13, 2014Yamagata Park Stadium2–05–0Friendly
22September 18, 2014Namdong Asiad Rugby Field, Incheon3–012–02014 Asian Games
23September 18, 2014Namdong Asiad Rugby Field, Incheon4–012–02014 Asian Games
24September 18, 2014Namdong Asiad Rugby Field, Incheon11–012–02014 Asian Games
25September 22, 2014Munhak Stadium, Incheon1–03–02014 Asian Games
26September 29, 2014Football Stadium, Incheon1–03–02014 Asian Games
27June 23, 2015BC Place2–02–12015 FIFA Women's World Cup
28November 29, 2015Kras Stadion1–21–3Friendly
29April 13, 2018Amman International Stadium, Amman1–01–12018 AFC Women's Asian Cup

Honours

Tasaki Perule FC
; Japan
; Individual