AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup
The defender believes no stone has been left unturned as Japan bid to avenge the heartbreak of defeat in the 2024 final and claim a record-setting fifth title.
“We have prepared with the training drills designed to counter DPR Korea’s strengths and I’m confident that we can cope with whatever that comes at us,” said Ito.
“It will be my first time playing against DPR Korea but we have watched a lot of videos of them before. We have as much information about them as I’m sure they have on us, however, in the end we will focus on playing our own style of football.
“It will be my first time playing against DPR Korea but we have watched a lot of videos of them before. We have as much information about them as I’m sure they have on us, however, in the end we will focus on playing our own style of football.
“We know that the match will probably be the toughest one we have played, but we believe we have the fitness to match them, so for tomorrow, we want to keep running till the very end.”
Ito has been part of head coach Sadayoshi Shirai’s rotational planning with the JFA Academy Fukushima player having only started twice - against Lebanon in the group stage and Korea Republic in the quarter-finals.
Ito has been part of head coach Sadayoshi Shirai’s rotational planning with the JFA Academy Fukushima player having only started twice - against Lebanon in the group stage and Korea Republic in the quarter-finals.
She was also involved from the bench against Australia in the group stage and semi-finals and despite being a defender, Ito has shown her scoring capability by netting twice against Lebanon.
“Through this tournament, I feel I’ve grown as a player, and from here I want to continue performing well, eventually succeed on the world stage, and become a player who can also make an impact for Nadeshiko.”
“Through this tournament, I feel I’ve grown as a player, and from here I want to continue performing well, eventually succeed on the world stage, and become a player who can also make an impact for Nadeshiko.”
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