Aya Shimokozuru

Aya Shimokozuru
Personal information
Full name	Aya Shimokozuru
Date of birth	June 7, 1982 (age 41)
Place of birth	Nagaokakyo, Kyoto, Japan
Height	1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
	Matsushita Electric Panasonic Bambina
Senior career*
Years	Team
1999–2004	Speranza FC Takatsuki
2005–2008	Tasaki Perule FC
2009	Speranza FC Takatsuki
2010–2011	TEPCO Mareeze
2012–2013	Vegalta Sendai
Total
National team
2004–2008	Japan
Honours
Representing Japan
AFC Women's Asian Cup
Asian Games
	* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Aya Shimokozuru (下小鶴綾, Shimokozuru Aya, born June 7, 1982) is a former Japanese football player. She played for the Japan national team.

Biography[change | change source]

Shimokozuru was born in Nagaokakyo on June 7, 1982. In 1999, she joined Matsushita Electric Panasonic Bambina (later Speranza FC Takatsuki) from the youth team. In 2005, she moved to Tasaki Perule FC. She was selected Best Eleven in 2005, 2006. However, in 2008, the club was disbanded due to financial strain and she retired. In May 2009, she came back at Speranza FC Takatsuki. In 2010, she moved to TEPCO Mareeze. However, the club was disbanded for Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011. She moved to new club Vegalta Sendai and played as captain. She retired end of 2013 season.

In April 2004, Shimokozuru was selected the Japan national team for 2004 Summer Olympics qualification. At this competition, on April 18, she debuted against Vietnam. She was a member of Japan for 2004 Summer Olympics. She also played at 2006, 2008 Asian Cup and 2006 Asian Games. She played 28 games for Japan until 2008.