Rika Masuya

3.1. JFA Academy Fukushima

Masuya developed her skills at the JFA Academy Fukushima from 2008 to 2013. During her time there, she gained valuable experience, making 35 appearances and scoring 28 goals across various competitions. Her first league appearance was on May 5, 2010, in a Challenge League EAST match against AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies at J-Village Stadium. She scored her first goal on September 12, 2010, against Tokiwagi Gakuen High School, also at J-Village Stadium, in a Challenge League EAST fixture. This period served as a strong foundation for her subsequent professional career.

3.2. INAC Kobe Leonessa (First spell)

Following her graduation from the JFA Academy Fukushima, Masuya joined INAC Kobe Leonessa, one of Japan's most successful women's football clubs, in 2014. She quickly made an impact, scoring two goals in her third match of the 2014 Nadeshiko League Regular Series against Albirex Niigata Ladies on April 13, 2014. Initially wearing jersey number 20, she switched to number 9 for the 2017 season, a number previously worn by prominent players like Nahomi Kawasumi. On March 26, 2017, in a match against Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara, Masuya achieved her 100th appearance in the Nadeshiko League. Her consistent performance continued, and on October 14, 2019, she reached 150 Nadeshiko League appearances in a match against Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies. For the 2020 season, she changed her jersey number again, to 17, to accommodate the arrival of Mina Tanaka, whom she greatly respected.

3.3. Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina

In 2021, Masuya made a permanent transfer to Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina, a new club established for the inaugural season of the WE League, Japan's first professional women's football league. She made an immediate and significant impact in the team's historic first WE League match on September 12, 2021, against Chifure AS Elfen Saitama. In that game, she scored one goal and provided two assists, contributing to a decisive 3-0 victory and marking a memorable start for the club. However, her promising start was marred by an injury sustained in the same match, later diagnosed as a left knee anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, requiring approximately six months for recovery.

3.4. INAC Kobe Leonessa (Second spell)

After her stint with Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina, Masuya returned to INAC Kobe Leonessa on June 29, 2023. Her comeback was met with anticipation, but her career continued to be affected by injury setbacks. On March 3, 2024, it was announced that she had again suffered a left knee anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, which was expected to keep her out for approximately eight months. This recurrence of a severe injury ultimately played a significant role in her decision regarding her professional career.

3.5. Club career statistics

The following table summarizes Rika Masuya's club career statistics, detailing her appearances and goals across various leagues and competitions.

4.1. Youth teams

Masuya's international career began with the youth national teams. In 2011, she was selected for the Japan U-16 national team and participated in the 2011 AFC U-16 Women's Championship, where she notably scored two goals against China U-17 in the third match of the final league stage. In September 2012, she was part of the Japan U-17 national team for the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup held in Azerbaijan, scoring two goals against Brazil U-17 in the opening group stage match. Her contributions at the youth level included 3 appearances and 2 goals for the U-17 team. She was also expected to be called up to the Japan U-19 national team in 2013, but a right knee ACL injury prevented her from participating that season.

4.2. Senior team debut and major tournaments

Masuya made her debut for the senior Japan national team (Nadeshiko Japan) on September 13, 2014, at the age of 18, in an international friendly against Ghana in Yamagata. Her first goals for the senior team came on September 26, 2014, when she scored twice against Hong Kong in the 2014 Asian Games held in Hwaseong, South Korea. In the 2014 Asian Games, Japan finished in second place, earning a silver medal, with Masuya playing in 6 matches and scoring 2 goals.

She continued to be a part of the national team squad for various tournaments:

• 2015 EAFF Women's East Asian Cup: Scored a goal against North Korea in a 2-4 loss.
• 2017 Algarve Cup and 2018 Algarve Cup in Portugal.
• 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup: Japan won the championship, with Masuya making significant contributions, including a goal against Vietnam in the group stage.
• 2018 Tournament of Nations: Scored a goal against Brazil in a 1-2 loss.
• 2018 Asian Games: Japan secured the gold medal. Masuya scored a goal against Vietnam in the group stage match, which ended in a 7-0 victory for Japan.

4.3. National team statistics

Rika Masuya earned 27 caps for the Japan women's national team, scoring 6 goals between 2014 and 2018.

Her international goals are detailed in the table below:

7.1. Club honours

With INAC Kobe Leonessa, Masuya won the prestigious Empress's Cup three times:

• 2015
• 2016
• 2023

7.2. International honours

Representing the Japan national team, she achieved:

• AFC Women's Asian Cup:
  • Winner: 2018
• Asian Games:
  • Gold Medal: 2018
  • Silver Medal: 2014