1. Early life and club career
Mihoko Iwaya's early life and club career set the foundation for her later involvement with the Japan women's national team, where she played as a goalkeeper for various clubs.
1.1. Early life
Mihoko Iwaya was born on June 1, 1964, in Japan.
1.2. Club career
During her club career, Mihoko Iwaya played for Shimizu Eighth Sports Club and Shizuoka Koka Women's Football Club. It was during her tenure with Shimizu Eighth Sports Club that she was first selected to represent the Japan women's national team.
2. National team career
Mihoko Iwaya's national team career was significant for her participation in the early development of women's football in Japan, including her involvement in the Japan national team's inaugural victory.
2.1. International debut and early appearances
In June 1981, at the age of 17, Mihoko Iwaya was selected for the newly formed Japan women's national football team to participate in the 1981 AFC Women's Championship. Her international debut occurred on June 13, 1981, in Japan's third match of the tournament, against Indonesia. Japan won this match by a score of 1-0, which marked the first-ever victory for the Japan women's national team. Following this, Iwaya also appeared in a match against England on September 6, 1981, in Hyōgo Prefecture (at Kobe Central Athletic Field) as part of the Portopia '81 International Women's Football event, which Japan lost 0-4. Both of her international appearances were under the management of coach Seiki Ichihara.
2.2. International statistics
Mihoko Iwaya played two matches for the Japan women's national team during her international career, both in 1981.
| Japan women's national football team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 1981 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 0 |