AFC Women's Asian Cup
The 22-year-old was the standout performer in the 4-1 semi-final win against Korea Republic as they booked a showdown against Australia on Saturday, with Fujino expressing her pride at Japan’s ability to adapt to what was in front of them.
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“In the first half, Korea Republic played with five in defence, which we kind of expected,” said Fujino. “At the beginning, I struggled to have one on ones in the wide areas but slowly we started to find the space and got the goal.”
Fujino’s movement on the left was a constant threat for Korea Republic, with the Manchester City forward also having a goal disallowed in the first half.
“After we spoke and adapted, we started winning the ball and we managed to keep the team compact throughout the game.”
Fujino’s movement on the left was a constant threat for Korea Republic, with the Manchester City forward also having a goal disallowed in the first half.
“After we spoke and adapted, we started winning the ball and we managed to keep the team compact throughout the game.”
A product of the Tokyo Verdy Beleza academy, it has been a whirlwind few years for the Tokyo-born, having made her WE League debut in October 2021.
Her exploits at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2022 saw her promoted to the senior squad with then head coach Futoshi Ikeda taking her to the FIFA Women’s World Cup New Zealand & Australia, where she scored in the group stage tie against Costa Rica.
The decision was then taken to join national teammates Yui Hasegawa and Ayaka Yamashita at Manchester City in the Women’s Super League, with Fujino not regretting her decision.
Her exploits at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2022 saw her promoted to the senior squad with then head coach Futoshi Ikeda taking her to the FIFA Women’s World Cup New Zealand & Australia, where she scored in the group stage tie against Costa Rica.
The decision was then taken to join national teammates Yui Hasegawa and Ayaka Yamashita at Manchester City in the Women’s Super League, with Fujino not regretting her decision.
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“The reason why I moved overseas was because in the WE League we learned a lot about how to play but I wanted to polish the other parts of my game.
“When I saw the game at the World Cup, I was determined to go abroad to have the environment to play and train with those players."
“When I saw the game at the World Cup, I was determined to go abroad to have the environment to play and train with those players."
“That is where the game is fast and more physical. That is why I chose to move to England because I wanted to grow as a player in a different environment.”
Saturday’s final will be another chance for Fujino to showcase her improvement since the move to England and help Japan to a third title.
Saturday’s final will be another chance for Fujino to showcase her improvement since the move to England and help Japan to a third title.
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