Chika Hirao (平尾 知佳, Hirao Chika, born 31 December 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for WE League club Albirex Niigata and the Japan women's national team.
Club career
Hirao was born in Matsudo on December 31, 1996. She joined L.League club Urawa Reds from JFA Academy Fukushima in 2014. She played many matches as a regular goalkeeper, helping the club become the champions in the first season. However her opportunity to play decreased behind Sakiko Ikeda from 2015 season. In 2018, she moved to Albirex Niigata.
National team career
In September 2012, when Hirao was 15 years old, she was selected Japan U-17 national team for 2012 U-17 Women's World Cup and she played 3 matches as regular goalkeeper. In November 2016, she was selected Japan U-20 national team for 2016 U-20 Women's World Cup. She played 5 matches and Japan won the 3rd place.[1]
In April 2018, Hirao was selected Japan national team for 2018 Women's Asian Cup. Although she did not play in any matches, Japan won the championship after two tournaments in a row. On August 2, she debuted against Australia.[2]
On 10 May 2019, Hirao was included in the 23-player squad for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.[3]
On 18 June 2021, she was included in the Japan squad for the 2020 Summer Olympics.[4]
On 13 June 2023, she was included in the 23-player squad for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.[5]
On 14 June 2024, Hirao was included in the Japan squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics.[6]
Hirao was part of the Japan squad that won the 2025 SheBelieves Cup.[7]
National team statistics
| Japan national team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 4 | 0 |
References
- ^ Chika Hirao – FIFA competition record (archived)
- ^ Japan Football Association
- ^ "なでしこジャパンの高倉麻子監督がFIFA女子ワールドカップに向けてメンバーを発表 ～国際親善試合 対スペイン女子代表（6/2＠ル・トゥケ）、FIFA女子ワールドカップ フランス 2019" [Nadeshiko Japan coach Asakura Takako announces members for FIFA Women's World Cup-International Goodwill vs. Spanish Women's National Team (6/2 @ Le Touquet), FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019] (in Japanese). Japan Football Association. 11 May 2019.
- ^ "Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) Squad - Games of the XXXII Olympiad (Tokyo 2020)【7/21-8/6】, MS&AD CUP 2021【7/14＠Kyoto】". www.jfa.jp. Japan Football Association (JFA). 18 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Iwabuchi left out of Japan's World Cup squad". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) squad & schedule - MS&AD Cup 2024: Noto Peninsula Earthquake Reconstruction Support Match "Ganbarou Noto" / Games of the XXXIII Olympiad (Paris 2024)". jfa.jp. Japan Football Association (JFA). 14 June 2024.
- ^ "United States vs Japan: Japan wins SheBelieves Cup". BBC Sport. 27 February 2025. Archived from the original on 27 February 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
- ^ List of match in 2018, 2019 at Japan Football Association (in Japanese)
External links
- Chika Hirao – FIFA competition record (archived)
- Chika Hirao at Soccerway
- Chika Hirao at WorldFootball.net
- Japan Football Association
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