1. Overview
Rie Yamaki, born on October 2, 1975, in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, is a former professional football player and coach who primarily played as a defender. Her career spanned from the late 1980s through the early 2000s, during which she achieved significant success at both club and international levels. Yamaki was a prominent figure in Japanese women's football, known for her contributions to multiple L.League championships with clubs like Nikko Securities Dream Ladies and her extensive involvement with the Japan national team, where she also served as captain. After retiring from playing football, she transitioned to a professional futsal career before moving into coaching, continuing her dedication to the sport.
2. Early Life and Background
2.1. Childhood and Entry into Football
Rie Yamaki was born on October 2, 1975, in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Her journey in football began at an early age, as she started playing the sport in the third grade of elementary school as part of a club activity. Her talent and passion for football quickly became evident. While attending Ichikawa Municipal Eighth Junior High School, Yamaki joined Nissan FC Ladies, a prominent club in the nascent Japanese women's football scene, marking the beginning of her professional club career in 1989.
3. Club Career
Rie Yamaki's club career was marked by significant achievements across several Japanese and one German club, contributing to multiple league titles and earning individual accolades.
3.1. Nissan FC Ladies
Yamaki began her professional career with Nissan FC Ladies in 1989. In her debut season, the 1989 L.League, she was recognized as one of the four recipients of the Young Player Award, highlighting her early impact on the league. She remained with Nissan FC Ladies until 1993, contributing to the team's performance in the L.League. However, the club was disbanded at the end of the 1993 season, leading to her departure. During her tenure at Nissan FC Ladies, she made 75 appearances and scored 10 goals.
3.2. Nikko Securities Dream Ladies
Following the disbandment of Nissan FC Ladies, Yamaki transferred to Nikko Securities Dream Ladies in 1994. Her time with this club was highly successful, as she played a pivotal role in their dominance of the L.League. The team notably won the L.League championship for three consecutive years, from 1996 to 1998. Yamaki's individual performance during this period was also exceptional, culminating in her receiving the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the 1997 L.League season. She was also selected for the Best Eleven for five consecutive years from 1993 to 1997, spanning her time at both Nissan FC Ladies and Nikko Securities Dream Ladies. Despite their on-field success, Nikko Securities Dream Ladies faced financial difficulties and was disbanded in 1998, prompting Yamaki's move abroad. With Nikko Securities Dream Ladies, she recorded 80 appearances and 10 goals.
3.3. 1. FFC Frankfurt
In 1999, after the dissolution of Nikko Securities Dream Ladies, Rie Yamaki moved to Germany to play for 1. FFC Frankfurt, a club in the German Bundesliga. She remained with the club until 2002. During the 1999-2000 season, she made 7 appearances for the team, though she did not score any goals. Specific statistics for her other seasons with Frankfurt are not available, suggesting limited playing time during those years.
3.4. Ohara Gakuen JaSRA
Yamaki returned to Japan in 2003, joining Ohara Gakuen JaSRA. She played for the club for two seasons, participating in the Japanese women's football league system. She concluded her professional football playing career at the end of the 2004 season. With Ohara Gakuen JaSRA, she made 33 appearances and scored 10 goals.
3.5. Futsal Player Career
After retiring from professional football in 2004, Rie Yamaki transitioned to a career in professional futsal. From 2005 to 2009, she played for Bardral Urayasu Las Bonitas, a futsal club. This period marked a new chapter in her athletic career, demonstrating her versatility and continued engagement in competitive sports.
4. National Team Career
Rie Yamaki had a distinguished career with the Japan women's national football team, representing her country in numerous international competitions and serving in a leadership role.
4.1. Debut and Participation in Major Tournaments
Rie Yamaki made her debut for the Japan women's national football team at the age of 18. Her first international cap came on December 4, 1993, in a match against Chinese Taipei during the 1993 AFC Women's Championship held in Kuching, Malaysia.
Throughout her national team career, Yamaki participated in several major international tournaments:
- She competed in the AFC Women's Championship in 1993, 1995, and 1997.
- She represented Japan at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, where Japan secured a silver medal, and at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, earning a bronze medal.
- Yamaki was a key member of the Japan squad for two FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments, participating in the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.
- She also represented Japan at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, which marked the debut of women's football as an Olympic sport.
Her first goal for the national team was scored on December 5, 1997, against Guam during the 1997 AFC Women's Championship. She scored her second goal on December 9, 1997, against Hong Kong in the same tournament. Her third and final international goal came on December 17, 1998, against Chinese Taipei at the 1998 Asian Games. Yamaki played a total of 50 matches and scored 3 goals for Japan between 1993 and 1999.
4.2. Captaincy
During her tenure with the national team, Rie Yamaki was entrusted with the significant responsibility of serving as the team's captain. This role underscored her leadership qualities, experience, and influence within the squad, particularly during major competitions like the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Her captaincy reflected her importance in guiding the team's dynamics and performance on the international stage.
5. Coaching Career
After concluding her playing career, Rie Yamaki transitioned into football coaching, contributing to the development of women's football at various levels.
- From 2005 to 2007, she served as the manager for the Chiba Soccer Club Ladies.
- Between 2015 and 2016, she worked as a coach for the Tokyo International University Women's Football Club.
- In 2017, Yamaki was appointed as the manager of Ryukyu Deigos, a professional women's football club in Japan, a position she continues to hold.
6. Awards and Honors
Rie Yamaki's career was decorated with numerous awards and honors, recognizing both her individual brilliance and her contributions to team success.
6.1. Club Awards
- Nikko Securities Dream Ladies
- L.League: 1996, 1997, 1998 (3 titles)
- Empress's Cup All-Japan Women's Football Championship: 1996 (1 title)
6.2. Individual Awards
- L.League Young Player Award (Rookie of the Year): 1989
- L.League Most Valuable Player (MVP): 1997
- L.League Best Eleven: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 (5 selections)
- JLSL East-West All-Star Game appearances: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
6.3. International Medals
- Asian Games
- Silver Medal: 1994 Hiroshima
- Bronze Medal: 1998 Bangkok
7. Statistics
Rie Yamaki's playing career statistics reflect her consistent presence and contributions across various clubs and for the national team.
7.1. Club Statistics
| Year | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Nissan FC Ladies | L.League | 10 | 1 |
| 1990 | 11 | 1 | ||
| 1991 | 18 | 5 | ||
| 1992 | 18 | 0 | ||
| 1993 | 18 | 3 | ||
| 1994 | Nikko Securities Dream Ladies | L.League | 18 | 3 |
| 1995 | 18 | 2 | ||
| 1996 | 18 | 1 | ||
| 1997 | 18 | 3 | ||
| 1998 | 8 | 1 | ||
| 1999-2000 | 1. FFC Frankfurt | Bundesliga | 7 | 0 |
| 2000-2001 | ||||
| 2001-2002 | ||||
| 2002-2003 | ||||
| 2003 | Ohara Gakuen JaSRA | L.League | 17 | 9 |
| 2004 | L.League Division 1 | 16 | 1 | |
| Total (Japanese clubs) | 195 | 30 | ||
7.2. National Team Statistics
| Japan National Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 1993 | 4 | 0 |
| 1994 | 6 | 0 |
| 1995 | 10 | 0 |
| 1996 | 10 | 0 |
| 1997 | 7 | 2 |
| 1998 | 8 | 1 |
| 1999 | 5 | 0 |
| Total | 50 | 3 |
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Coach | Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1993-12-04 | Kuching,  | Chinese Taipei | 6-1 (W) | Tamotsu Suzuki | 1993 AFC Women's Championship |
| 2. | 1993-12-06 | Kuching, | Philippines | 15-0 (W) | Tamotsu Suzuki | 1993 AFC Women's Championship |
| 3. | 1993-12-10 | Kuching, | China | 1-3 (L) | Tamotsu Suzuki | 1993 AFC Women's Championship |
| 4. | 1993-12-12 | Kuching, | Chinese Taipei | 3-0 (W) | Tamotsu Suzuki | 1993 AFC Women's Championship |
| 5. | 1994-08-20 | Dubnica nad Váhom,  | Slovakia | 2-0 (W) | Tamotsu Suzuki | Slovakia International Tournament |
| 6. | 1994-09-27 | Tokyo,  | Australia | 2-2 (D) | Tamotsu Suzuki | International Friendly |
| 7. | 1994-10-04 | Fukuyama, | South Korea | 5-0 (W) | Tamotsu Suzuki | Asian Games |
| 8. | 1994-10-06 | Fukuyama, | Chinese Taipei | 3-0 (W) | Tamotsu Suzuki | Asian Games |
| 9. | 1994-10-10 | Fukuyama, | China | 1-1 (D) | Tamotsu Suzuki | Asian Games |
| 10. | 1994-10-12 | Fukuyama, | China | 0-2 (L) | Tamotsu Suzuki | Asian Games |
| 11. | 1995-05-05 | Nishigaoka Soccer Field, Tokyo, | Canada | 1-0 (W) (AET) | Tamotsu Suzuki | ICE BOX CUP |
| 12. | 1995-06-05 | Karlstad,  | Germany | 0-1 (L) | Tamotsu Suzuki | World Championship |
| 13. | 1995-06-07 | Karlstad, | Brazil | 2-1 (W) | Tamotsu Suzuki | World Championship |
| 14. | 1995-06-09 | Västerås, | Sweden | 0-2 (L) | Tamotsu Suzuki | World Championship |
| 15. | 1995-06-13 | Gävle, | United States | 0-4 (L) | Tamotsu Suzuki | World Championship |
| 16. | 1995-09-22 | Kota Kinabalu, | South Korea | 1-0 (W) | Tamotsu Suzuki | Asian Championship |
| 17. | 1995-09-25 | Kota Kinabalu, | India | 6-0 (W) | Tamotsu Suzuki | Asian Championship |
| 18. | 1995-09-27 | Kota Kinabalu, | Uzbekistan | 17-0 (W) | Tamotsu Suzuki | Asian Championship |
| 19. | 1995-09-30 | Kota Kinabalu, | Chinese Taipei | 3-0 (W) | Tamotsu Suzuki | Asian Championship |
| 20. | 1995-10-02 | Kota Kinabalu, | China | 0-2 (L) | Tamotsu Suzuki | Asian Championship |
| 21. | 1996-05-11 | Salem,  | China | 0-3 (L) | Tamotsu Suzuki | US Women's Cup |
| 22. | 1996-05-16 | Hotboro, | United States | 0-4 (L) | Tamotsu Suzuki | US Women's Cup |
| 23. | 1996-05-18 | Washington, | Canada | 0-0 (D) (PK 4-3) | Tamotsu Suzuki | US Women's Cup |
| 24. | 1996-05-26 | Tokyo, | Denmark | 1-1 (D) | Tamotsu Suzuki | International Friendly |
| 25. | 1996-05-29 | Fukuoka, | Denmark | 3-4 (L) | Tamotsu Suzuki | International Friendly |
| 26. | 1996-07-10 | Fort Lauderdale, | Australia | 2-2 (D) | Tamotsu Suzuki | International Friendly |
| 27. | 1996-07-15 | Fort Lauderdale, | Sweden | 1-3 (L) | Tamotsu Suzuki | International Friendly |
| 28. | 1996-07-21 | Birmingham, | Germany | 2-3 (L) | Tamotsu Suzuki | Olympics |
| 29. | 1996-07-23 | Birmingham, | Brazil | 0-2 (L) | Tamotsu Suzuki | Olympics |
| 30. | 1996-07-25 | Washington, | Norway | 0-4 (L) | Tamotsu Suzuki | Olympics |
| 31. | 1997-06-08 | Tokyo, | China | 1-0 (W) | Satoshi Miyauchi | Kirin Cup |
| 32. | 1997-06-15 | Osaka, | China | 0-0 (D) | Satoshi Miyauchi | Kirin Cup |
| 33. | 1997-12-05 | Panyu,  | Guam | 21-0 (W) | Satoshi Miyauchi | Asian Championship |
| 34. | 1997-12-07 | Panyu, | India | 1-0 (W) | Satoshi Miyauchi | Asian Championship |
| 35. | 1997-12-09 | Panyu, | Hong Kong | 9-0 (W) | Satoshi Miyauchi | Asian Championship |
| 36. | 1997-12-12 | Guangzhou, | North Korea | 0-1 (L) | Satoshi Miyauchi | Asian Championship |
| 37. | 1997-12-14 | Guangzhou, | Chinese Taipei | 2-0 (W) | Satoshi Miyauchi | Asian Championship |
| 38. | 1998-05-17 | Tokyo, | United States | 1-2 (L) | Satoshi Miyauchi | Kirin Cup |
| 39. | 1998-05-21 | Kobe, | United States | 0-2 (L) | Satoshi Miyauchi | Kirin Cup |
| 40. | 1998-05-24 | Yokohama, | United States | 0-3 (L) | Satoshi Miyauchi | Kirin Cup |
| 41. | 1998-12-08 | Bangkok,  | Thailand | 6-0 (W) | Satoshi Miyauchi | Asian Games |
| 42. | 1998-12-10 | Bangkok, | North Korea | 2-3 (L) | Satoshi Miyauchi | Asian Games |
| 43. | 1998-12-12 | Bangkok, | Vietnam | 8-0 (W) | Satoshi Miyauchi | Asian Games |
| 44. | 1998-12-15 | Bangkok, | China | 0-3 (L) | Satoshi Miyauchi | Asian Games |
| 45. | 1998-12-17 | Bangkok, | Chinese Taipei | 2-1 (W) | Satoshi Miyauchi | Asian Games |
| 46. | 1999-05-02 | Charleston, | United States | 0-7 (L) | Satoshi Miyauchi | International Friendly |
| 47. | 1999-05-30 | Kyoto, | South Korea | 1-1 (D) | Satoshi Miyauchi | Kirin Cup |
| 48. | 1999-06-03 | Tokyo, | South Korea | 3-2 (W) | Satoshi Miyauchi | Kirin Cup |
| 49. | 1999-06-23 | Portland, | Russia | 0-5 (L) | Satoshi Miyauchi | World Championship |
| 50. | 1999-06-26 | Chicago, | Norway | 0-4 (L) | Satoshi Miyauchi | World Championship |