1. Overview
Megumi Sakata, born on October 18, 1971, in Ozu, Kumamoto, Japan, is a former Japanese female football player and coach. Throughout her playing career, she primarily served as a goalkeeper. She represented the Japan national team from 1989 to 1996, participating in significant international tournaments including the 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup, as well as contributing to the team's silver medal at the 1990 Asian Games. At the club level, Sakata played for prominent Japanese teams such as Nissan FC Ladies, Prima Ham FC Kunoichi, and Tasaki Perule FC. Following her retirement as a player, Sakata transitioned into coaching, holding various roles, including manager of Oita Trinita Ladies and Hiroshima Bunkyo Women's University High School, and contributing to youth football development.
2. Early life and education
2.1. Birth and early life
Megumi Sakata was born on October 18, 1971, in Ozu, Kumamoto, a town located in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. She began her football journey during her high school years, which marked the start of her professional involvement in the sport.
2.2. Education
Sakata attended Kumamoto Prefectural Ozu High School. After high school, she continued her studies at Japan Women's College of Physical Education. It was during her time at the university that her talent was recognized, leading to her call-up to the Japan national team.
3. Playing career
Megumi Sakata's professional football career spanned over a decade, marked by her contributions to several prominent Japanese club teams and her consistent presence in the national squad during a pivotal era for women's football.
3.1. Club career
After graduating from high school, Sakata joined Nissan FC Ladies in 1990. As a rookie, she quickly established herself, playing in every match during her inaugural season. She remained with Nissan FC Ladies until the club was disbanded at the end of the 1993 season. During her tenure from 1990 to 1993, she made 52 appearances for the club.
In 1994, Sakata moved to Prima Ham FC Kunoichi. With Prima Ham FC Kunoichi, she played a crucial role in the team's success, contributing to their first-ever championship title in the 1995 Japan Women's Football League season. She also helped the team secure the Empress's Cup in 1995. Sakata concluded her initial playing career at the end of the 1996 season while with Prima Ham FC Kunoichi, having made 34 appearances for them between 1994 and 1996.
Following a two-year hiatus from professional play, Sakata returned to the pitch in 1999, joining Tasaki Perule FC. Her comeback saw her contribute to the team's success, winning the Empress's Cup in both 1999 and 2002. She continued to play for Tasaki Perule FC until the end of the 2002 season, making 38 appearances during this period. Over her entire club career, Sakata made a total of 124 appearances, primarily as a goalkeeper, and did not score any goals.
3.2. National team career
Megumi Sakata made her debut for the Japan national team at the age of 18 on December 24, 1989. Her first international appearance was against the Nepal national team during the 1989 AFC Women's Championship, held in Hong Kong. She continued to be a key member of the Japanese squad throughout the early to mid-1990s, earning 10 caps for her country before her final national team appearance in 1996. Throughout her international career, she maintained a record of zero goals scored.
3.2.1. Major International Tournaments
Megumi Sakata's career with the Japan national team included participation in several significant international competitions:
- 1989 AFC Women's Championship: She made her debut in this tournament, where Japan secured a third-place finish.
- 1990 Asian Games: Japan earned a silver medal in the football competition.
- 1991 AFC Women's Championship: Japan finished as runners-up in this tournament.
- 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup: Sakata was part of the squad for the inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup.
- 1993 AFC Women's Championship: Japan again finished in third place.
- 1995 AFC Women's Championship: Japan reached the final, finishing as runners-up.
- 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup: She was a member of the Japanese squad that participated in the second edition of the Women's World Cup.
- 1996 Atlanta Olympics: Sakata was listed as a backup member for the Japanese team.
- Additionally, she participated in other international friendly tournaments, including the 4th Varna International Women's Tournament in 1991, the Slovakia International Women's Tournament in 1994, and the US Women's Cup in 1996.
4. Career statistics
This section provides a comprehensive statistical overview of Megumi Sakata's playing career, encompassing both her club and national team appearances.
4.1. Club statistics
| Club | Season | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan FC Ladies | 1990 | JLSL | 15 | 0 |
| Nissan FC Ladies | 1991 | JLSL | 18 | 0 |
| Nissan FC Ladies | 1992 | JLSL | 1 | 0 |
| Nissan FC Ladies | 1993 | JLSL | 18 | 0 |
| Prima Ham FC Kunoichi | 1994 | L.League | 18 | 0 |
| Prima Ham FC Kunoichi | 1995 | L.League | 16 | 0 |
| Prima Ham FC Kunoichi | 1996 | L.League | 0 | 0 |
| Tasaki Perule FC | 1999 | L.League | 14 | 0 |
| Tasaki Perule FC | 2000 | L.League | 7 | 0 |
| Tasaki Perule FC | 2001 | L.League | 11 | 0 |
| Tasaki Perule FC | 2002 | L.League | 6 | 0 |
| Career total | 124 | 0 | ||
4.2. National team statistics
Sakata's appearances and goals for the Japan women's national team are summarized below by year.
| Japan national team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 1989 | 1 | 0 |
| 1990 | 2 | 0 |
| 1991 | 3 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 | 0 |
| 1993 | 1 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 |
| 1995 | 1 | 0 |
| 1996 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 10 | 0 |
4.2.1. National team match list
This table details the specific matches in which Megumi Sakata appeared for the Japan women's national football team.
| # | Date | Location | Venue | Opponent | Result | Manager | Competition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | December 24, 1989 | Hong Kong | Hong Kong | W 14-0 | Tamotsu Suzuki | AFC Women's Championship | ||
| 2 | September 9, 1990 | Busan | South Korea | W 5-0 | Friendly | |||
| 3 | September 29, 1990 | Beijing | South Korea | W 8-1 | Asian Games | |||
| 4 | April 5, 1991 | Varna | Hungary | W 2-0 | 4th Varna International Tournament | |||
| 5 | June 1, 1991 | Fukuoka Prefecture | Kasuga Park Stadium | Malaysia | W 12-0 | AFC Women's Championship | ||
| 6 | June 3, 1991 | Fukuoka Prefecture | Heiwadai Athletic Stadium | Singapore | W 10-0 | AFC Women's Championship | ||
| 7 | December 8, 1993 | Kuching | Hong Kong | W 4-0 | AFC Women's Championship | |||
| 8 | August 21, 1994 | Dubnica nad Váhom | Austria | W 1-0 | Slovakia International Tournament | |||
| 9 | September 25, 1995 | Kota Kinabalu | India | W 6-0 | AFC Women's Championship | |||
| 10 | May 16, 1996 | Hot Springs | United States | L 0-4 | US Women's Cup |
5. Achievements and honors
Megumi Sakata earned several team and individual honors throughout her distinguished playing career.
- National Team
- Asian Games:
- Silver Medal: 1990
- Asian Games:
- Club
- With Prima Ham FC Kunoichi:
- Japan Women's Football League: 1995
- Empress's Cup: 1995
- With Tasaki Perule FC:
- Empress's Cup: 1999, 2002
- With Prima Ham FC Kunoichi:
- Individual
- National Sports Festival (as Hyogo Prefecture representative, Adult Women's category): 1999
6. Coaching career
Following her playing career, Megumi Sakata transitioned into coaching, contributing her expertise to various levels of women's football in Japan.
After her initial retirement from playing in 1996, Sakata served as a coach for the football club at her alma mater, Japan Women's College of Physical Education. In 2006, she took on the role of goalkeeper coach for Iga FC Kunoichi, accepting an invitation from her former teammate Yumi Tani.
In 2007, she became the goalkeeper coach for Oita Trinita Ladies, a newly established women's team by Oita Trinita that aimed to join the Nadeshiko League. The following year, in 2008, she was promoted to the position of manager for Oita Trinita Ladies. Since 2016, Sakata has been the manager of the football club at Hiroshima Bunkyo Women's University High School, continuing her involvement in developing young talent.
7. Post-playing activities and contributions
Beyond her playing and coaching roles, Megumi Sakata has remained active in football and contributed to its development. In 2009, she participated in the All Japan Women's Futsal Championship as a player for FC Alegre Caminho, a club based in Saga Prefecture. She has also dedicated her time to youth development initiatives, serving as a goalkeeper coach for the Japan Football Association's (JFA) "Super Girls Project" and the JFA Elite Program, both of which aim to nurture promising young female footballers in Japan.