Aoba Fujino Explained

Aoba Fujino
Fullname:Aoba Fujino
Birth Date:27 January 2004
Birth Place:Machida, Tokyo, Japan
Height:1.62 m
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Manchester City
Clubnumber:20
Youthclubs1:Minamiosawa FC
Youthclubs2:Tokyo Verdy Sereias
Youthyears3:2019–2021
Youthclubs3:Jumonji High School
Years1:2021–2024
Clubs1:Tokyo Verdy Beleza
Caps1:51
Goals1:24
Years2:2024–
Clubs2:Manchester City
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Nationalyears1:2022
Nationalteam1:Japan U-20
Nationalyears2:2022–
Nationalteam2:Japan
Nationalcaps2:24
Nationalgoals2:7
Club-Update:15:41, 13 July 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:09:59, 2 August 2024 (UTC)

is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Super League club Manchester City and the Japan national team.

Club career

Fujino begun her youth career with Nippon TV Menina, the youth academy of Tokyo Verdy Beleza. Unable to progress through the youth rank, she left the team and instead went on to Jumonji High School. She rejoined Tokyo Verdy Beleza upon her graduation from high school.[1]

Fujino made her WE League debut on 16 October 2021.[2] On 2 August 2024, she signed a three-year deal with Women's Super League side Manchester City[3]

International career

In July 2022, Fujino was selected for the Japan U-20 national team for the 2022 U-20 Women's World Cup[4] where Japan were the runners-up.

On 13 June 2023, she was included in Japan's 23-player squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.[5] On July 26, 2023, she scored her first World Cup goal against Costa Rica in the 2nd round of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Group C, becoming the youngest Japanese goal scorer (19 years and 180 days) in the World Cup for both men and women.[6] [7]

Career statistics

Club

[8]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Tokyo Verdy Beleza2021–22WE League1040000104
2022–23WE League201143432817
2023–24WE League21921522812
Total512464956633
Manchester City2024–25Women's Super League00000000
Career total512464956633

International

[9]

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Japan202240
2023133
202474
Total247

Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Fujino goal.

List of international goals scored by Aoba Fujino
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
114 July 2023Yurtec Stadium Sendai, Sendai, Japan4–05–0Friendly
226 July 2023Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand2–02–02023 FIFA Women's World Cup
330 November 2023Arena Corinthians, São Paulo, Brazil1–03–4Friendly
428 February 2024Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan 2–0 2–1 2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
53 June 20243–1 4–1 Friendly
613 July 2024Kanazawa Stadium, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan4–04–0MS&AD Cup
726 July 20241–01–22024 Summer Olympics

Honours

Tokyo Verdy Beleza

Japan U20

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024-02-20 . 藤野あおば、20歳――WEリーグで増す存在感「得点はしたいし、取らなきゃいけない」 . 2024-08-02 . 集英社 スポルティーバ 公式サイト web Sportiva . ja.
  2. Web site: Scoresheet. 27 April 2023. weleague.jp. October 2021.
  3. Web site: 2024-08-02 . Aoba Fujino: Manchester City sign Japan forward . 2024-08-02 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  4. http://www.jfa.jp/eng/national_team/u20w_2022/news/00030043/ U-20 Japan Women's National Team squad - FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Costa Rica 2022™ (8/7-28@Costa Rica)
  5. News: Iwabuchi left out of Japan's World Cup squad . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2023-06-20.
  6. Web site: 2023-07-26 . Two goals in 2 minutes help Japan beat Costa Rica 2-0 at Women's World Cup . 2023-07-26 . AP News . en.
  7. Web site: Hikaru Naomoto and Aoba Fujino score BACK-TO-BACK goals to give Japan a 2-0 lead over Costa Rica 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup . 2023-07-26 . FOX Sports . en-US.
  8. Web site: Japan - A. Fujino - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway .
  9. Web site: Nadeshiko Japan | National Teams|JFA|Japan Football Association .
  10. Web site: NEWS . KYODO . Football: Ueki double leads Beleza to record 16th Empress's Cup . 2023-02-22 . Kyodo News+.