Eriko Arakawa

1.1. Childhood and Education

During her junior high school years, Arakawa joined Yomiuri Menina, a youth team associated with the prominent Japanese women's football club, Nippon TV Beleza. She attended Bunka Women's High School. Even in her early career, she demonstrated remarkable perseverance, overcoming various physical challenges, including a recurring dislocated left shoulder and an open fracture in her right foot.

1.2. Youth and Early Career

Arakawa progressed through the youth ranks of Yomiuri Menina, eventually being promoted to the senior team, Yomiuri Beleza (later known as Nippon TV Beleza), during her third year of high school in 1997. Her early development showcased her potential as a forward.

2.1. Career in Japan

Arakawa began her senior club career in 1997 with Yomiuri-Seiyu Beleza, which later became Nippon TV Beleza. She was a key player for the team, earning selections to the L.League Best Eleven in 2003 and 2004. After a period overseas, she returned to Nippon TV Beleza in August 2009.

In 2010, she moved to Urawa Reds Ladies, where she played until December 2012. From January 2013, she joined AS Elfen Sayama FC (now Chifure AS Elfen Saitama), demonstrating her continued commitment to the sport. She had a brief return to Nippon TV Beleza in 2015 before rejoining AS Elfen Saitama in 2016. In 2017, she moved to Nippon Sport Science University Fields Yokohama. Since 2018, she has been playing for Chifure AS Elfen Saitama, the club she currently represents. On June 7, 2014, she achieved her 200th appearance in the Japan Women's Football League during a match against Okayama Yunogo Belle at NACK5 Stadium Omiya. Her debut in the WE League came on September 12, 2021, in the opening match of the 2021-22 season against Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina at Kumagaya Sports Culture Park Athletics Stadium.

2.2. Overseas Career

In September 2008, Arakawa was drafted by FC Gold Pride in the 2008 WPS International Draft for the inaugural season of the top-level American professional league, Women's Professional Soccer (WPS). Her transfer to FC Gold Pride was officially announced on February 13, 2009. In her debut for the club, Arakawa scored FC Gold Pride's first-ever goal against the Boston Breakers in a 2-1 victory. This goal marked a significant moment for the new club. She played 19 matches and scored 1 goal for the club before returning to Nippon TV Beleza in August 2009.

2.3. Club Statistics

Eriko Arakawa's comprehensive club statistics are detailed below:

3.1. Major Tournament Participation

Arakawa was a significant presence in several major international tournaments for Japan:

• 2003 AFC Women's Championship (fourth place)
• 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup
• 2004 Summer Olympics (fourth place)
• 2005 East Asian Football Championship
• 2006 Asian Games (silver medal)
• 2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup (fourth place)
• 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup
• 2008 EAFF Women's Football Championship (champions)
• 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup (third place)
• 2008 Summer Olympics (fourth place)

She notably scored crucial goals in major tournaments, including against North Korea in the 2004 Summer Olympics Asian Qualifiers and against Sweden in the 2004 Athens Olympics main tournament, attracting widespread attention.

3.2. National Team Statistics by Year

3.3. Detailed International Match Appearances

Eriko Arakawa's international match appearances are detailed below:

3.4. International Goals

Eriko Arakawa's international goals are presented in the table below:

4.1. Club Honors

• Nippon TV Beleza (and its predecessors Yomiuri-Seiyu Beleza / Yomiuri Beleza / NTV Beleza):
  • Japan Women's Football League: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
  • L.League Cup: 1999
  • Nadeshiko League Cup: 2007
  • Empress's Cup: 1998, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008

4.2. National Team Honors

• Japan National Team:
  • EAFF E-1 Football Championship: 2008

4.3. Individual Honors

• Japan Women's Football League Best Eleven: 2003, 2004, 2010

5.1. Nicknames and Personality

Arakawa has several nicknames, including "Gan-chan" (がんちゃん^Japanese or がんさん^Japanese) and "Eri-chan" (えりちゃん^Japanese). The nickname "Gan-chan" is said to originate from "Ganso Sapporo-ya" (元祖札幌や^Japanese), the name of her family's ramen restaurant. Due to her distinctive hairstyle, she was also often referred to as "Bomber," a nickname she shared with male footballer Yuji Nakazawa.

5.2. Off-field Activities and Public Perception

While playing for Beleza, Arakawa famously worked part-time as a cashier at a Seiyu supermarket. This "other side" of a women's football player became a topic of public discussion, highlighting the realities faced by many women footballers at the time. Her dual role gained significant media attention, and she was even featured in Seiyu's New Year's Day advertisements in 2005, appearing in traditional Japanese formal attire. This public exposure contributed to raising awareness and the profile of women's football in Japan.