1. Aya Miyama is a Japanese former footballer who played for the Japan national team starting in 2003, and from 2012 to 2016 served as captain of the team.
12 Facts About Aya Miyama
1. 2.
Aya Miyama appeared in four World Cups between 2003 and 2015, and was part of the team that won the 2011 World Cup for Japan.
3.
Aya Miyama was born in Oamishirasato, Sanbu District, Chiba Prefecture, on 28 January 1985.
4.
Aya Miyama started her career as a football player in the club her father founded.
5.
Aya Miyama later joined Nippon TV Beleza in 1999 after playing with their youth team, but when she was in eleventh grade, she left the team and went to the high school football club.
6.
On 24 November 2008, Aya Miyama was selected by the Los Angeles Sol of the US Women's Professional Soccer in the 2008 WPS International Draft, and joined Sol in 2009.
7.
Aya Miyama signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Beat on 10 June 2010.
8.
Aya Miyama left the club at the end of the 2016 season.
9.
At the 2007 World Cup held in China, Aya Miyama performed brilliantly in Japan's match against England, scoring the team's two goals both from direct free kicks as they held on to a draw.
10.
Aya Miyama was named the AFC Women's Footballer of the Year in 2011,2012 and 2015.
11.
At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Aya Miyama led Japan to the silver medal as captain.
12.
Aya Miyama played 162 matches and scored 38 goals for Japan.