Utsugi Named to 2017 Algarve Cup Roster
Reign FC’s Rumi Utsugi will represent the Japan national team at the upcoming Algarve Cup in Portugal from March 1st to March 8th. Utsugi has 90 caps all-time for Japan and has featured in both the midfield and along the backline for her country.
“I’m really looking forward to playing with this group, as I have not played with some of these players before,” said Utsugi. “It’s great to see newness on the team and I’m excited to compete with such a strong roster.”
The annual tournament is in its 24th year and features 12 teams playing in a round-robin format. No streaming details have been released for the Algarve Cup.
Utsugi joins Japan for the first time in 2017, with their last match coming in July of 2016, falling 3–0 to Sweden. Japan has not played in the Algarve Cup since 2015 when they finished in ninth.
Japan is in Group B with Norway, Spain, and Iceland. Utsugi and Japan open up the tournament against Spain on March 1st, then face Iceland on March 3rd, and close out group stage play against Norway on March 6th.
Should Japan have one of the two highest point totals after the group stage they will advance to the final.
Japan Algarve Cup Roster by Position:
Goalkeepers: Erina Yamane, Ayaka Yamashita, Chika Hirao
Defenders: Aya Sameshima, Saori Ariyoshi, Yuri Kawamura, Saki Kumagai, Kaede Nakamura, Hikari Takagi, Hikaru Kitagawa
Midfielders: Mizuho Sakaguchi, Rumi Utsugi, Emi Nakajima, Mayu Sasaki, Sonoko Chiba, Yu Nakazato, Yui Hasegawa
Forwards: Yuika Sugasawa, Mana Iwabuchi, Kumi Yokoyama, Tanaka, Rika Masuya, Yuka Momiki
