Kana Kitahara (北原 佳奈, Kitahara Kana; born December 17, 1988) is a Japanese footballer who plays as defender. She has also played for the Japan national team. Kitahara is currently the player-coach for Albirex Niigata FC (S).[1]
 Kitahara at the 2015 World Cup | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Kana Kitahara | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | December 17, 1988 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Fujieda, Shizuoka, Japan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Defender | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | Albirex Niigata | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2006 | Fujieda Junshin High School | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2010 | Kanto Gakuen University | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2015 | Albirex Niigata | 93 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016–2022 | Mynavi Sendai | 45 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023– | Albirex Niigata | 0 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2015 | Japan | 9 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Managerial career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024– | Albirex Niigata (S) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of December 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Early life and education
editKitahara was born in Fujieda on December 17, 1988. She graduated from Kanto Gakuen University.
Playing career
editClub career
editKitahara joined Albirex Niigata in 2011. She played 93 games in L.League.
In 2016, she moved to Mynavi Vegalta Sendai.[2]
In July 2022, Kitahara joins Albirex Niigata Singapore FC's women team, Albirex Niigata Singapore Ladies.[3]
In 2023, Kitahara scored 17 goals in 13 matches for Albirex Niigata, where the team finished runner-up for the 2023 Women's Premier League.[1]
International career
editOn September 22, 2013, Kitahara debuted for the Japan national team against Nigeria. In 2014, she played at the 2014 Asian Games and Japan won second place. She was also played in the 2015 World Cup, in which Japan won second place.[1][4] She played nine games for Japan until 2015.
Coaching career
editKitahara has a Japan Football Association B Licence.[1]
While playing for Albirex Niigata, Kitahara was also the assistant coach of the U-17 Albirex men’s team.[1] She was also a coach of the Albirex Singapore Football Academy.[1]
In 2024, Kitahara became the head coach for Albirex Niigata Singapore Ladies team, taking over from Nahar Daud.[1]
National team statistics
edit| Japan national team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2013 | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 | 6 | 0 |
| 2015 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 9 | 0 |
Honours
editReferences
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Ganesan, Deepanraj (17 Jan 2024). "No experience? No problem, as Singapore's top two women's football teams hire rookie head coaches". The Straits Times.
- ↑ Mynavi Vegalta Sendai Archived 2017-07-17 at the Wayback Machine(in Japanese)
- ↑ Kwek, Kimberly (6 Jul 2022). "Football: Albirex strengthen women's team with former Japan international Kana Kitahara". The Straits Times.
- ↑ FIFA
- ↑ List of match in 2013 Archived 2018-08-11 at the Wayback Machine, 2014 Archived 2018-08-11 at the Wayback Machine, 2015 Archived 2018-08-11 at the Wayback Machine at Japan Football Association (in Japanese)
External links
edit- Kana Kitahara on Instagram
- Kana Kitahara – FIFA competition record (archived)
- Kana Kitahara at Soccerway
- Kana Kitahara at WorldFootball.net
- Japan Football Association
- Fox Soccer profile
- Eurosport profile
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