Ayu Nakada

1.1. Early Life and Introduction to Football

Born on August 15, 1993, in Yamanashi City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Nakada started playing football in first grade of elementary school at the age of six. Her father, who was a football coach, guided her early development. During her elementary and junior high school years, she played for various local clubs, including Yamanashi Esperanza Ladies, Ludens SC, Fortuna FC Ladies, and Fortuna SC, which was considered the strongest club in her prefecture at the time. She also competed at the U-15 level for Japan during her junior high school period. Nakada is known for being left-footed, and stands at 64 in ^{(163 cm)} and weighs 123 lb ^{(56 kg)}.

1.2. High School Career

In 2009, Nakada enrolled in Tokiwagi Gakuen High School, a prestigious institution known for its strong women's football program. Her time there was highly successful, as she contributed to her team winning the All Japan High School Women's Soccer Tournament twice, in 2009 and 2011. Additionally, Tokiwagi Gakuen High School secured consecutive championships in the Challenge League EAST in 2010 and 2011, showcasing Nakada's early impact on competitive football.

1.3. Youth National Team Career

Nakada was a prominent figure in Japan's youth national teams, participating in several major international tournaments. In 2009, she represented the Japan U-16 team in five matches, scoring one goal. In 2010, she was a key player for the Japan U-17 team at the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup held in Trinidad and Tobago. Japan finished as runners-up in the tournament, with Nakada appearing in five of the six matches.

In 2011, she was part of the Japan U-19 team that won the AFC U-19 Women's Championship. Her international success continued in 2012 when she played for the Japan U-20 team at the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, hosted in Japan. The team achieved a third-place finish, securing a bronze medal. During this tournament, in a group stage match against New Zealand on August 22, 2012, Nakada notably scored an own goal in the 11th minute, with the match eventually ending in a 2-2 draw.

2.1. INAC Kobe Leonessa

In the spring of 2012, at the age of 18, Ayu Nakada joined INAC Kobe Leonessa, one of Japan's most successful women's football clubs. She made her official club debut on March 15, 2012, in the Japan and South Korea Women's League Championship against Goyang Daekyo Nunnoppi. Her first official goal for INAC Kobe came on June 23, 2012, during a Nadeshiko League Cup match against Fukuoka J. Anclas. She played for INAC Kobe Leonessa from 2012 until 2020, becoming an integral part of the team's multiple championship wins during this period.

2.2. Omiya Ardija Ventus

On January 13, 2021, it was announced that Nakada would transfer to Omiya Ardija Ventus, a club participating in the newly established WE League, Japan's first professional women's football league. She made her WE League debut on September 12, 2021, in a match against her former club, INAC Kobe Leonessa. Her first goal for Omiya Ardija Ventus in the WE League was scored on May 27, 2023, against JEF United Chiba Ladies at NACK5 Stadium Omiya. She continues to play for Omiya Ardija Ventus as of the current season.

3.1. Club

• Japan Women's Football League debut: April 4, 2010, Challenge League EAST, Round 1, vs. Nippon Sport Science University Women's Football Club (at Nippon Sport Science University Yokohama Kenshidai Campus Football Field)
• Japan Women's Football League first goal: April 10, 2010, Challenge League EAST, Round 2, vs. AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies (at Minami Nagano Sports Park Athletics Stadium)
• WE League debut: September 12, 2021, Round 1, vs. INAC Kobe Leonessa (at Noevir Stadium Kobe)
• WE League first goal: May 27, 2023, Round 20, vs. JEF United Chiba Ladies (at NACK5 Stadium Omiya)

4.1. Club Honours

• Tokiwagi Gakuen High School LSC
  • All Japan High School Women's Soccer Tournament: 2009, 2011
  • Challenge League East: 2010, 2011
• INAC Kobe Leonessa
  • Japan Women's Football League: 2012, 2013
  • Empress's Cup All-Japan Women's Soccer Championship Tournament: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016
  • Nadeshiko League Cup: 2013
  • Japan and South Korea Women's League Championship: 2012

4.2. International Honours

• Japan U19
  • AFC U-19 Women's Championship: 2011
• Japan U17
  • 2010 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup: Runner-up (2010)
• Japan U20
  • 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup: Third place (2012)

5.1. Media Appearances

Nakada has made several appearances on sports programs, including a segment titled "Cheer for Dreams! Passionate Athletes" on SPORTS X (BS Asahi), a popular television program in Japan.

5.2. Public Perception and Social Engagement

For years, Ayu Nakada has been a subject of considerable public interest in Japan, often attracting attention for her appearance, described as "cute" or "idol-like." Her popularity was reflected in a 2014 survey asking "Which Japanese female soccer player would you want to date?", where she placed fifth. Demonstrating her commitment to social issues, in 2016, she was selected as the face of a poster campaign in Hyogo Prefecture to promote newly adopted internet filtering rules for schools and other facilities serving children. This role highlighted her willingness to use her public platform to advocate for important societal causes.