AFC Women's Asian Cup
Born in Funabashi, a city in Chiba Prefecture, Matsunaga picked up the sport at three under her father’s guidance and went on to play for Japan at the then-World University Games in 2017, before turning out for Sfida Setagaya FC and Ehime FC.
But, with a burning ambition to reach the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Matsunaga decided to embark on a different trajectory at the end of 2023.
But, with a burning ambition to reach the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Matsunaga decided to embark on a different trajectory at the end of 2023.
Eligible to play for Chinese Taipei through her grandfather’s heritage, the midfielder signed for top flight side Hang Yuan FC in March 2024, with an eye on getting naturalised.
That came less than a year later in February 2025 for Matsunaga, who became the first-ever naturalised player for the Chinese Taipei women’s national team. She was promptly called up for an international friendly tournament later that month, where made her debut.
“When I first put on this jersey, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for my family who raised me and for all the people who have supported me,” she told the-AFC.com recently. “I had lived in Japan since I was born, but I had a World Cup dream and in order to realise it, I decided to play for Chinese Taipei.”
That came less than a year later in February 2025 for Matsunaga, who became the first-ever naturalised player for the Chinese Taipei women’s national team. She was promptly called up for an international friendly tournament later that month, where made her debut.
“When I first put on this jersey, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for my family who raised me and for all the people who have supported me,” she told the-AFC.com recently. “I had lived in Japan since I was born, but I had a World Cup dream and in order to realise it, I decided to play for Chinese Taipei.”
It also marked a major step forward in her dream of stepping onto the world’s biggest stage. Matsunaga, who has been taking weekly language lessons for more than a year in order to assimilate better in her new surroundings, now wears the number 10 for Chinese Taipei and has played in all 12 of their matches since becoming eligible.
Her first goal came in a 1-0 away friendly win against the Philippines last June, with two more added during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Qualifiers, where Chinese Taipei cruised through with three wins in as many matches to seal their place at the 21st edition of the showpiece.
Her first goal came in a 1-0 away friendly win against the Philippines last June, with two more added during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Qualifiers, where Chinese Taipei cruised through with three wins in as many matches to seal their place at the 21st edition of the showpiece.
As fate would have it, Matsunaga will once again face her country of birth, with Japan serving as the opponents in their Group C opener on March 4 at the Perth Rectangular Stadium. The 30-year-old will hope for Chinese Taipei to turn in a stronger performance than their 4-0 loss last time out, while they also have to contend with Vietnam and India in the group stage.
Reaching the semi-finals in Australia will guarantee a berth at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027, while there are two further slots available via the playoff route and one additional one in the inter-confederation playoffs.
Reaching the semi-finals in Australia will guarantee a berth at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027, while there are two further slots available via the playoff route and one additional one in the inter-confederation playoffs.
Success would be historic for Chinese Taipei, whose sole appearance in the FIFA Women’s World Cup was at the inaugural 1991 edition, and at the same time be an incredibly meaningful achievement for Matsunaga, who is determined to give her all at Australia 2026.
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