Thorns FC midfielder to represent Japan for second time at World Cup
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC midfielder Hina Sugita has been named to the 23-player Japan Women’s National Team roster for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, it was announced today.
Sugita will be making her second appearance with Japan at the World Cup. The Thorns FC midfielder featured for Japan at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France. She started and played in every match at the tournament, logging 360 minutes in the team’s four games. Sugita was one of five players to play every minute in the tournament for her country as Japan advanced to the Round of 16 before falling to the Netherlands (2-1).
In 2023 with Portland, Sugita has appeared in 10 games (9 starts) for Thorns FC, tallying two goals and two assists. Since signing with the club ahead of the 2022 season, the Japanese international has featured in 31 regular season matches (28 starts), logging 2,420 minutes with seven goals and six assists.
Playing in Group C, Japan will open group play against Zambia on Sat., July 22; kickoff is set for 12 a.m. (Pacific) on FS1. In their second game, Japan will take on Costa Rica on Wed., July 26 on FS1 at 10 p.m. (Pacific). Japan concludes group play at 12 a.m. (Pacific) against Spain on Mon, July 31 with a broadcast available on FOX.
