Maiko Nakaoka

2.1. Birth and childhood

Maiko Nakaoka was born on February 15, 1985, in Amagasaki, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.
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When she was in the first grade of elementary school, her family moved from Amagasaki to Inagawa-chō, also in Hyōgo Prefecture, due to her father's desire to live in the countryside. She began playing football around this time, influenced by her older brother who was two years her senior.

2.2. Education

Nakaoka attended Honjo Daiichi High School in Saitama Prefecture, a school known for its strong women's football program. During her high school years, she temporarily left the L.League to focus on her studies and high school football.

3.1. Youth and early professional career

Nakaoka joined Takarazuka Bunnys Junior, the youth organization of Takarazuka Bunnys Ladies SC (now Bunnys Kyoto SC). In 1997, at the age of 12 and still a junior high school student, she was promoted to the top team. She made her debut in the L.League on August 10, 1997, starting in the 7th match of the first half of the 9th L.League season against Nikko Securities Dream Ladies at the Edogawa Ward Athletics Stadium. She played for Takarazuka Bunnys Ladies SC from 1997 to 1999, making 5 appearances without scoring a goal.

3.2. Professional club career

After graduating from high school, Nakaoka joined Tasaki Perule FC in 2003. In 2005, she secured a regular midfield position, taking over from Naoko Kawakami, who had transferred to Nippon TV Beleza. On June 19, 2005, she scored her anticipated first goal in a league match against Tokyo Electric Power Company Women's Soccer Club Mareeze. She made 56 appearances and scored 1 goal for Tasaki Perule FC before the club was disbanded at the end of 2008 due to financial difficulties.
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Following the suspension of Tasaki Perule FC's activities, Nakaoka moved to Speranza FC Takatsuki (now Konomiya Speranza Osaka-Takatsuki) in 2009. She played for Speranza FC Takatsuki until 2011.
In 2012, Nakaoka transferred to Albirex Niigata Ladies. She played for the club for one season, making 2 appearances.
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4.1. Senior national team debut and major tournaments

Nakaoka was called up to the Japan women's national football team (Nadeshiko Japan) in 2005. She made her senior national team debut at the age of 20 on May 21, 2005, in a friendly match against the New Zealand national team. The match, part of the KIRIN WORLD CHALLENGE Kirin Challenge Cup 2005, was held at the National Nishigaoka Soccer Stadium in Tokyo, and she entered as a substitute for Miyuki Yanagita in the second half.
Prior to her senior national team career, Nakaoka was also a member of the U-19 Japan women's national team and participated in the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship (now known as the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup).
In 2006, she represented Japan in two major international tournaments. She participated in the 2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup, where Japan finished fourth. During this tournament, she played in matches against Chinese Taipei (a dominant 11-1 victory), China (a 1-0 win), and Australia (a 0-2 loss).
Later that year, she also competed in the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, where Japan won the silver medal. Her appearances in the Asian Games included matches against Jordan (a 13-0 victory), China (a 1-0 win), South Korea (a 3-1 win), and a closely contested final against North Korea which ended in a 0-0 draw, followed by a 2-4 penalty shootout loss for Japan.
Nakaoka accumulated 14 caps for the Japan national team between 2005 and 2007, without scoring any goals. Her national team matches were all under the management of coach Hiroshi Ohashi.

4.2. Playing style and characteristics

Maiko Nakaoka primarily played as a midfielder. She was known for being left-footed, a characteristic that often influenced her role and contributions on the field.

5.1. Club statistics

5.2. National team statistics

5.3. List of international matches