Saki Kumagai

Saki Kumagai (熊谷 紗希, Kumagai Saki, born 17 October 1990) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder or defender for Italian club AS Roma and captains the Japan women's national team. A versatile defensive midfielder with keen sense of anticipation and exceptional tactical acumen, she also able to be deployed as a central defender. She is regarded as one of the finest Asian female midfielders of all time. She is one of the most successful East Asian footballers, of any gender, at club and international level.

Quotes

 * The priority for me as a captain has always been to build a team where age doesn’t matter.
 * For me, having this open dialogue is what allows us to speak our minds frankly on the pitch. As a team, I can sense a growing unity, where everyone’s voice is heard. I think we’re becoming a unit that can fight hard and push in one direction.
 * But whatever you tell them, the youngsters are always going to feel the nerves. I think my job is to help them ride the wave until they, too, can relax and truly enjoy the game.
 * Kumagai: I want to savour this World Cup experience by FIFA.com. Retrieved 17/11/2023.