Full name Naoko Kawakami 1990-2004 Tasaki Perule F.C. Place of birth Akashi, Hyogo Name Naoko Kawakami | Playing position Role Football player Years Team Position Midfielder | |
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Date of birth (1977-11-16) 16 November 1977 (age 38) | ||
Naoko Kawakami (川上 直子, Kawakami Naoko, born 16 November 1977 in Akashi, Hyogo) is a retired Japanese football defender and midfielder who played for the Japanese national team. She has since been a broadcast commentator.
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Club career
Kawakami previously played midfielder for L. League side Tasaki Perule F.C.. However, when she entered the national selection, she became a right back. After success at this position, she remained a defender when she transferred to NTV Bereza. She had a lot of success with her two clubs, winning one league title with her first club in 2003 and three Empress's Cups, and two other titles with her second one.
International career
She made her debut with the national selection in 2001 and became a regular left back, beginning all games in the 2003 World Cup and the 2004 Olympic Games.
After retirement
After retiring from international football in 2005 and from football the following year, she became a commentator for NBS at the 2007 World Cup qualification round. She then commented the final tournament for Fuji TV. In 2011, she was commentator for NHK during the Women's World Cup tournament, including when the Japan national women's team won the world title.
Individual
5 times in the best eleven: 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
Club
Tasaki Perule FC
NTV Bereza