Mito Isaka

2.1. Birth and Growth Process

Mito Isaka was born on January 25, 1976, in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. She began her professional football career in 1994, joining Urawa Ladies.

2.2. Physical Characteristics

Isaka's physical attributes during her playing career included a height of 61 in ^{(156 cm)} and a weight of 104 lb ^{(47 kg)}.

3.1. Club Career

Mito Isaka began her club career in 1994 when she joined Urawa Ladies in the L.League. In her debut season, she was recognized for her promising talent, receiving the Best Young Player award in the 1994 L.League season.

In 1995, Isaka transferred to Prima Ham FC Kunoichi, a club later known as Iga FC Kunoichi. She remained with this club until her retirement from playing in 2007. During her tenure at Prima Ham FC Kunoichi / Iga FC Kunoichi, she achieved significant individual and team successes. In the 1999 L.League season, Isaka was a standout performer, scoring 21 goals, which earned her the title of top scorer. Her exceptional performance also led to her being selected as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the 1999 season. She was also named to the Best Eleven team three times, in 1999, 2000, and 2003, recognizing her consistent high-level play. On July 22, 2007, she reached a notable milestone of 200 career appearances.

3.2. National Team Career

Mito Isaka made her debut for the Japan women's national football team on June 15, 1997, in a match against China held in Osaka Prefecture, Japan, as part of the Kirin Cup. Her first international goal came on December 8, 1998, against Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand, during the 1998 Asian Games.

She actively participated in several major international tournaments for Japan. At the Football at the 1998 Asian Games, she played against teams including South Korea, North Korea, Vietnam, China, and Chinese Taipei. In 1999, Isaka was a member of the Japanese squad for the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup held in the United States, where she played in matches against Canada, Russia, and Norway. Japan, however, did not advance beyond the group stage in this tournament, which meant they missed out on qualification for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Isaka also competed in the 1999 AFC Women's Championship in the Philippines, where she demonstrated her scoring prowess with goals against Thailand, Nepal, and multiple goals in a single match against Philippines. In 2000, she participated in the Pacific Rim Cup in Australia, facing teams such as Australia, New Zealand, China, United States, and Canada.

The year 2001 saw her play in the Far East 4-Nation Tournament in South Korea, where she scored against China. She also took part in the Nike Cup in the United States and the 2001 AFC Women's Championship in Chinese Taipei, contributing multiple goals against Singapore and Guam. Her final year with the national team was 2002. During this year, she played in a 4-Nation Tournament in France and another Far East 4-Nation Tournament in China. Her national team career concluded at the Football at the 2002 Asian Games in South Korea. In the final match against Chinese Taipei, she sustained a serious right knee ligament rupture, an injury that required three months for recovery. She was replaced by Karina Maruyama in that match. By the end of her national team career in 2002, Mito Isaka had accumulated 46 appearances and scored 15 goals for Japan.

4.1. Individual Awards

• L.League Best Young Player: 1994
• L.League Most Valuable Player (MVP): 1999
• L.League Top Scorer: 1999 (21 goals)
• L.League Best Eleven: 1999, 2000, 2003
• 200 career appearances: July 22, 2007

4.2. Club Titles

• Prima Ham FC Kunoichi / Iga FC Kunoichi
  • Japan Women's Football League: 1995, 1999
  • Empress's Cup: 1995, 1998, 2001
  • L.League Cup: 1997, 1998

7.1. Club Statistics

7.2. National Team Statistics