Asako Takakura (高倉 麻子, Takakura Asako, born 19 April 1968), also known as Asako Takakura-Takemoto or Asako Takemoto due to her marriage, is a Japanese football manager and former player. She played for Japan national team. She is a former manager of the Japan national team. Her husband is former footballer Kazuhiko Takemoto.

Asako Takakura
高倉 麻子
Personal information
Full name Asako Takakura
Date of birth (1968-04-19) 19 April 1968 (age 56)
Place of birth Fukushima, Japan
Height 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1981–1984 FC Jinnan
1985–1998 Yomiuri Beleza 167 (30)
1999 Matsushita Electric Panasonic Bambina 14 (6)
2000 Silicon Valley Red Devils
2001–2004 Speranza FC Takatsuki 45 (8)
Total 226 (44)
International career
1984–1999 Japan 79 (29)
Managerial career
2013–2014 Japan U-17
2014–2016 Japan U-20
2016–2021 Japan
2023– Shanghai Women FC
Medal record
Yomiuri Beleza
Winner Nadeshiko League 1990
Winner Nadeshiko League 1991
Winner Nadeshiko League 1992
Winner Nadeshiko League 1993
Runner-up Nadeshiko League 1989
Runner-up Nadeshiko League 1994
Runner-up Nadeshiko League 1997
Runner-up Nadeshiko League 1998
Winner Nadeshiko League Cup 1996
Runner-up Nadeshiko League Cup 1997
Winner Empress's Cup 1987
Winner Empress's Cup 1988
Winner Empress's Cup 1993
Winner Empress's Cup 1997
Runner-up Empress's Cup 1986
Runner-up Empress's Cup 1991
Runner-up Empress's Cup 1992
Runner-up Empress's Cup 1996
Representing  Japan
AFC Women's Asian Cup
Silver medal – second place 1986 China
Silver medal – second place 1991 Japan
Silver medal – second place 1995 Malaysia
Bronze medal – third place 1989 Hong Kong
Bronze medal – third place 1993 Malaysia
Asian Games
Silver medal – second place 1990 Beijing Team
Silver medal – second place 1994 Hiroshima Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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Takakura was born in Fukushima on 19 April 1968. In 1981, she joined FC Jinnan. In 1985, she moved to Yomiuri Beleza. The club won L.League title for 4 years in a row (19901993). She was selected MVP awards in 1992 and 1993 season. She was also selected Best Eleven 7 times (1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997 and 1998). In 1999, her husband Kazuhiko Takemoto moved to Gamba Osaka. So, she moved to Matsushita Electric Panasonic Bambina (later Speranza FC Takatsuki) based in Osaka. In 2000, she moved to Women's Premier Soccer League club Silicon Valley Red Devils. In 2001, she returned to Speranza FC Takatsuki. End of 2004 season, she retired from playing career. She played 226 games in L.League.

International career

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On 17 October 1984, when Takakura was 16 years old, she debuted for Japan national team against Italy. She played at 1986, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1999 AFC Championship, 1990 and 1994 Asian Games. She was also a member of Japan for 1991, 1995 World Cup[1] and 1996 Summer Olympics. She played 79 games and scored 29 goals for Japan until 1999.[2]

Managerial career

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Takakura started her coaching career as an assistant coach of the Japan U-17 national team at the 2009 and 2011 AFC U-16 Championships. As manager of the Japan U-17 team, she led the youth team to the title of the 2013 AFC U-16 Championship by winning over North Korea in the final. Next year, she led to the title of the 2014 U-17 World Cup by winning over Spain in the final. She repeated the achievement by mentoring the Japan U-20 national team to help them win the title of the 2015 AFC U-19 Championship, again by defeating North Korea in the final.[3]

On 27 April 2016, Takakura was appointed as the manager of the Japan senior national team becoming the first female to hold the post. She was also appointed as manager of the Japan U-20 team and won 3rd place at 2016 U-20 World Cup.[1] In 2018, she led to the title of 2018 Asian Cup.

Takakura has been given the AFC Women's Coach Of The Year Award Six times; in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.[3]

Career statistics

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Appearances and goals by national team and year[2]
National team Year Apps Goals
Japan 1984 3 0
1985 0 0
1986 11 3
1987 3 4
1988 3 0
1989 6 3
1990 4 2
1991 12 4
1992 0 0
1993 5 6
1994 7 2
1995 9 0
1996 10 0
1997 0 0
1998 0 0
1999 6 5
Total 79 29
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Takakura goal.
List of international goals scored by Asako Takakura
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 19 July 1986 Italy   Italy 1–? 1–5 Friendly
2 18 December 1986 Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong   Malaysia 1–0 10–0 1986 AFC Women's Championship
3 2–0
4 19 December 1989 Kowloon, Hong Kong   Indonesia 5–0 11–0 1989 AFC Women's Championship
5 7–0
6 11–0

References

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  1. ^ a b "Takakura hired as first female manager of Nadeshiko Japan". The Japan Times. Kyodo. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  2. ^ a b Japan Football Association(in Japanese)
  3. ^ a b "AFC Women's Coach of the Year: Asako Takakura". Asian Football Confederation. 29 November 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
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