JapaneseFootballerGoalkeeperNational Team

Ayaka Yamashita (footballer)

Ayaka Yamashita is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Manchester City and the Japan national team, known for her significant club and international success.

1. Overview

山下 杏也加Yamashita AyakaJapanese, born on September 29, 1995, is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. She currently plays for Women's Super League club Manchester City and is a prominent member of the Japan national team. Throughout her career, Yamashita has achieved significant success at both club and international levels, securing multiple league titles, domestic cups, and international championships, while also earning individual accolades such as the WE League Most Valuable Player award.

2. Early Life and Youth Career

Ayaka Yamashita was born in Adachi, Tokyo on September 29, 1995. She began playing football in the second grade of elementary school, influenced by her older brother. Initially, she played as a forward.

2.1. Youth and Junior Career

Yamashita's early football journey began with local youth clubs. From 2004 to 2006, she played for KSC Kahei Pony Tail, followed by a stint at Higashi Kahei Kickers from 2006 to 2008. During her junior high school years, from 2008 to 2010, she played for Adachi Ladies Football Club, contributing to their victory in the Tokyo Women's Junior High League Division 3 in 2010, which helped them secure promotion to Division 2.

In 2011, she enrolled in Murata Joshi High School (now Hiroo Gakuen Koishikawa Junior & Senior High School). In the fall of her first year, she transitioned to the goalkeeper position, a move prompted by her height. Her potential as a goalkeeper was recognized when she participated in a training camp as part of the "Super Girl Project," held at J-GREEN Sakai during her second year of high school in 2013. In July 2013, while still in high school, Yamashita was registered as a special designated player for Nippon TV Beleza.

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3. Club Career

Ayaka Yamashita's professional club career began in Japan, where she quickly established herself as a top-tier goalkeeper before making a move to the English Women's Super League.

3.1. Nippon TV Beleza

Yamashita officially joined Nippon TV Beleza in 2014 after graduating from high school. She made her league debut on March 29, 2014, in the Nadeshiko League opening match against AS Elfen Saitama. During her tenure with Nippon TV Beleza from 2014 to 2020, she was an integral part of a dominant team that secured five consecutive Nadeshiko League championships from 2015 to 2019. She also contributed to five Empress's Cup victories (2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) and three Nadeshiko League Cup titles (2016, 2018, 2019). In 2019, the club also won the 2019 AFC Women's Club Championship. Yamashita's consistent high performance led to her selection in the Nadeshiko League Best Eleven for five consecutive years from 2015 to 2019. In April 2019, she signed her first professional contract. For the 2020 season, she was appointed vice-captain of the team.

3.2. INAC Kobe Leonessa

On January 15, 2021, Yamashita's transfer to INAC Kobe Leonessa was announced. She made her debut in the WE League on September 12, 2021, in a match against Omiya Ardija VENTUS. During the 2021-22 season, she played a pivotal role in INAC Kobe Leonessa's WE League championship victory. Her exceptional performance earned her the inaugural WE League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award on June 7, 2022, marking the first time in the history of Japan's top women's football league that a goalkeeper received this accolade. She was also named to the WE League Best Eleven for the 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 seasons, and received the WE League Outstanding Players Award for those same seasons. In 2023, she helped the club win the Empress's Cup. On June 7, 2024, Yamashita announced her departure from INAC Kobe Leonessa to prepare for an overseas transfer.

3.3. Manchester City W.F.C.

On August 9, 2024, it was officially announced that Ayaka Yamashita would join Women's Super League club Manchester City. She signed a three-year contract that is set to run until June 30, 2027. Yamashita's arrival made her the fourth Japanese player to join the club. She made her debut for Manchester City on September 18, 2024, in a UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying match against Paris FC, which Manchester City won. She wears jersey number 31.

4. International Career

Ayaka Yamashita has represented Japan at various levels, from youth national teams to the senior squad, participating in numerous significant international tournaments.

4.1. Youth National Teams

In 2013, during her third year of high school, Yamashita was selected for the U-19 Japan Women's National Team. As part of the squad, she traveled for international tours to the United States and China. Her appearances for the U-19 team included participation in the AFC U-19 Women's Championship China 2013.

4.2. Senior National Team

Yamashita received her first call-up to the senior Japan national team (Nadeshiko Japan) in August 2015 for the 2015 EAFF Women's East Asian Cup. She made her senior international debut on August 4, 2015, in a match against South Korea during that competition. She has since maintained a consistent presence in the national squad, serving as a pivotal goalkeeper. In 2016, she was part of the squad for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics Asian final qualifiers, though the team ultimately failed to secure qualification.

4.2.1. Major Tournament Appearances

Ayaka Yamashita has represented the senior national team in several major international competitions, playing a crucial role as goalkeeper:

  • 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup: Japan emerged as champions in this tournament.
  • 2018 Asian Games: Japan won the gold medal in this competition.
  • 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup: Yamashita was a starter in all three group stage matches and the Round of 16 match. She played the full duration of all four matches.
  • EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2019: Japan secured the championship title.
  • 2020 Tokyo Olympics: She participated in the Olympic tournament.
  • 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup: She was part of the squad.
  • EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2022: Japan won this championship.
  • 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup: Yamashita was selected for the 23-player squad on June 13, 2023. She played in all three group stage matches, becoming the only goalkeeper in the tournament's group stage not to concede a goal. Her crucial "super save" from close range during the final moments of the Round of 16 match against Norway was instrumental in Japan advancing to the quarterfinals. She played in 5 matches during the tournament.
  • 2024 Paris Olympics: Yamashita was selected as a member of the Nadeshiko Japan squad on June 14, 2024, and participated in the tournament.
  • 2025 SheBelieves Cup: Japan won this championship.

5. Honours

Ayaka Yamashita has accumulated an extensive list of team and individual honors throughout her career.

5.1. Club Honours

  • Nippon TV Beleza / Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza
    • Nadeshiko League: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
    • Empress's Cup: 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
    • Nadeshiko League Cup: 2016, 2018, 2019
    • AFC Women's Club Championship: 2019
  • INAC Kobe Leonessa
    • WE League: 2021-22
    • Empress's Cup: 2023

5.2. International Honours

  • Japan
    • AFC Women's Asian Cup: 2018
    • Asian Games: 2018
    • EAFF E-1 Football Championship: 2019, 2022
    • SheBelieves Cup: 2025

5.3. Individual Honours

  • Nadeshiko League Best Eleven: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
  • WE League Most Valuable Player (MVP): 2021-22
  • WE League Best Eleven: 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24
  • WE League Outstanding Players Award: 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24
  • EAFF E-1 Football Championship Best Goalkeeper: 2019, 2022
  • JPFA Women's Best Eleven: 2023-24

6. Career Statistics

6.1. Club Statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Tokyo Verdy Beleza2014Nadeshiko League4040--80
2015Nadeshiko League22030--250
2016Nadeshiko League1804070-290
2017Nadeshiko League1805060-290
2018Nadeshiko League1705040-260
2019Nadeshiko League180203030260
2020Nadeshiko League12000--120
Total1090230200301550
INAC Kobe Leonessa2021-22WE League19010--200
2022-23WE League1904040-270
2023-24WE League1803010-220
Total5608050-690
Manchester City2024-25Women's Super League80202040160
Career Total1730330270702400

6.2. International Statistics

National teamYearAppsGoals conceded
Japan201533
201637
201757
20181412
2019109
202026
202164
2022109
2023116
20241110
202521
Total7774

6.2.1. International Appearances

#DateHost cityStadiumOpponentResultManagerCompetition
1.August 4, 2015WuhanWuhan Sports CenterSouth KoreaL 1-2Norio Sasaki2015 EAFF Women's East Asian Cup
2.August 8, 2015WuhanWuhan Sports CenterChinaW 2-0
3.November 29, 2015VolendamFC Volendam StadionNetherlandsL 1-3International Friendly
4.March 7, 2016OsakaKincho StadiumVietnamW 6-12016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics Asian Final Qualifiers
5.June 2, 2016Commerce CityDick's Sporting Goods ParkUnited StatesD 3-3Asako TakakuraInternational Friendly
6.July 21, 2016KalmarGuldfågeln ArenaSwedenL 0-3International Friendly
7.March 3, 2017ParchalBela Vista Municipal StadiumIcelandW 2-02017 Algarve Cup
8.March 8, 2017Faro / LouléEstádio AlgarveNetherlandsL 2-3
9.June 9, 2017BredaRat Verlegh StadionNetherlandsW 1-0International Friendly - Netherlands/Belgium Tour
10.July 27, 2017SeattleCenturyLink FieldBrazilD 1-12017 Tournament of Nations
11.August 3, 2017CarsonStubHub CenterUnited StatesL 0-3
12.March 2, 2018ParchalBela Vista Municipal StadiumIcelandW 2-12018 Algarve Cup
13.March 7, 2018ParchalBela Vista Municipal StadiumCanadaL 0-2
14.April 1, 2018IsahayaTranscosmos Stadium NagasakiGhanaW 7-1MS&AD Cup 2017
15.April 7, 2018AmmanKing Abdullah II StadiumVietnamW 4-02018 AFC Women's Asian Cup
16.April 10, 2018AmmanAmman International StadiumSouth KoreaD 0-0
17.April 13, 2018AmmanAmman International StadiumAustraliaD 1-1
18.April 20, 2018AmmanAmman International StadiumAustraliaW 1-0
19.June 10, 2018WellingtonWestpac StadiumNew ZealandW 3-1International Friendly
20.July 26, 2018Kansas CityChildren's Mercy ParkUnited StatesL 2-42018 Tournament of Nations
21.August 21, 2018PalembangGelora Sriwijaya StadiumVietnamW 7-018th Asian Games
22.August 25, 2018PalembangGelora Sriwijaya StadiumNorth KoreaW 2-1
23.August 28, 2018PalembangGelora Sriwijaya StadiumSouth KoreaW 2-1
24.August 31, 2018PalembangGelora Sriwijaya StadiumChinaW 1-0
25.November 11, 2018TottoriTottori Bank Bird StadiumNorwayW 4-1International Friendly
26.April 4, 2019AuxerreStade de l'Abbé-DeschampsFranceL 1-3International Friendly - Europe Tour
27.June 2, 2019Le TouquetStade Gérard HoullierSpainD 1-1International Friendly
28.June 10, 2019ParisParc des PrincesArgentinaD 0-02019 FIFA Women's World Cup
29.June 14, 2019RennesRoazhon ParkScotlandW 2-1
30.June 19, 2019NiceStade de NiceEnglandL 0-2
31.June 25, 2019RennesRoazhon ParkNetherlandsL 1-2
32.October 6, 2019ShizuokaIAI Stadium NihondairaCanadaW 4-0International Friendly
33.November 10, 2019KitakyushuMikuni World Stadium KitakyushuSouth AfricaW 2-0MS&AD Cup 2019
34.December 14, 2019BusanBusan Gudeok StadiumChinaW 3-0EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2019
35.December 17, 2019BusanBusan Gudeok StadiumSouth KoreaW 1-0
36.March 5, 2020OrlandoExploria StadiumSpainL 1-32020 SheBelieves Cup
37.March 11, 2020FriscoToyota StadiumUnited StatesL 1-3
38.April 11, 2021TokyoNational StadiumPanamaW 7-0International Friendly
39.June 10, 2021HiroshimaEdion Stadium HiroshimaUkraineW 8-0International Friendly
40.July 14, 2021KameokaSanga Stadium by KyoceraAustraliaW 1-0MS&AD Cup 2021
41.July 24, 2021SapporoSapporo DomeGreat BritainL 0-12020 Tokyo Olympics
42.July 27, 2021RifuMiyagi StadiumChileW 1-0
43.July 30, 2021SaitamaSaitama Stadium 2002SwedenL 1-3
44.January 21, 2022PuneShree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports ComplexMyanmarW 5-0Futoshi Ikeda2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup
45.January 27, 2022PuneShree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports ComplexSouth KoreaD 1-1
46.January 30, 2022Navi MumbaiDY Patil StadiumThailandW 7-0
47.February 3, 2022PuneShree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports ComplexChinaL 2-2 (PK 3-4)
48.June 24, 2022Stara PazovaSerbian FA Sports CenterSerbiaW 5-0International Friendly
49.June 27, 2022TurkuVeritas StadionFinlandW 5-1International Friendly
50.July 26, 2022KashimaKashima Soccer StadiumChinaD 0-0EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2022
51.October 9, 2022NaganoNagano U StadiumNew ZealandW 2-0MS&AD Cup 2022
52.November 11, 2022MurciaPinatar ArenaEnglandL 0-4International Friendly
53.November 15, 2022SevilleEstadio La CartujaSpainL 0-1International Friendly
54.February 19, 2023NashvilleGeodis ParkUnited StatesL 0-12023 SheBelieves Cup
55.February 22, 2023FriscoToyota StadiumCanadaW 3-0
56.April 7, 2023GuimarãesEstádio D. Afonso HenriquesPortugalW 2-1International Friendly
57.April 11, 2023OdenseOdense StadiumDenmarkL 0-1International Friendly
58.July 14, 2023SendaiYurtec Stadium SendaiPanamaW 5-0MS&AD Cup 2023
59.July 22, 2023HamiltonWaikato StadiumZambiaW 5-02023 FIFA Women's World Cup
60.July 26, 2023DunedinDunedin StadiumCosta RicaW 2-0
61.July 31, 2023WellingtonWellington Regional StadiumSpainW 4-0
62.August 5, 2023WellingtonWellington Regional StadiumNorwayW 3-1
63.August 11, 2023AucklandEden ParkSwedenL 1-2
64.October 29, 2023TashkentBunyodkor StadiumUzbekistanW 2-0Paris Olympics Asian Second Qualifiers
65.February 24, 2024JeddahPrince Abdullah Al Faisal StadiumNorth KoreaD 0-02024 Paris Olympics Asian Final Qualifiers
66.February 28, 2024TokyoNational StadiumNorth KoreaW 2-1
67.April 6, 2024AtlantaMercedes-Benz StadiumUnited StatesL 1-22024 SheBelieves Cup
68.April 9, 2024ColumbusLower.com FieldBrazilL 1-1 (PK 0-3)
69.June 3, 2024MurciaEstadio Nueva CondominaNew ZealandW 4-1International Friendly
70.July 13, 2024KanazawaKanazawa Go Go Curry StadiumGhanaW 4-0MS&AD Cup 2024 ~Noto Peninsula Earthquake Reconstruction Support Match: Ganbarou Noto~
71.July 25, 2024NantesStade de la BeaujoireSpainL 1-22024 Paris Olympics
72.July 28, 2024ParisParc des PrincesBrazilW 2-1
73.July 31, 2024NantesStade de la BeaujoireNigeriaW 3-1
74.August 3, 2024ParisParc des PrincesUnited StatesL 0-1 (a.e.t.)
75.October 26, 2024TokyoNational StadiumSouth KoreaW 4-0Norio SasakiMIZUHO BLUE DREAM MATCH 2024
76.February 20, 2025HoustonShell Energy StadiumAustraliaW 4-0Nils Nielsen2025 SheBelieves Cup
77.February 27, 2025San DiegoSnapdragon StadiumUnited StatesW 2-1