• Source: Manaka Matsukubo

Manaka Matsukubo (松窪 真心, Matsukubo Manaka, born 28 July 2004) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for the North Carolina Courage of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She helped lead Japan to the final of the 2022 and 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups, receiving the Silver Ball at the latter tournament.




Club career






= Mynavi Sendai

=
Manaka made her professional debut for Mynavi Sendai of the WE League on 5 March 2023 and played 1,075 minutes across the season. She helped the team to a fourth-place finish in her first year as a professional, scoring four goals and adding one assist.




= North Carolina Courage

=
On 27 July 2023, the North Carolina Courage acquired Manaka on loan from Mynavi Sendai through June 2024. She made her first NWSL appearance on 27 August 2023. With the Courage, Matsukubo became the youngest player to start a game in the NWSL Challenge Cup and the youngest to score. She scored the second goal in a 2–0 victory over Racing Louisville in the Challenge Cup final on 9 September, being named the most valuable player of the match. Manaka scored her first NWSL regular-season goal the next week in a 2–1 loss to the Orlando Pride. On the final matchday of 2023, she assisted Tyler Lussi in a 1–0 win over the Washington Spirit that clinched the Courage's spot in the playoffs.
On 27 June 2024, Manaka was signed by the Courage permanently through 2025.




International career






= Youth national team

=
Manaka played for Japan's under-20 side during the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in 2022, scoring one goal as Japan made it to the final.
She was called up to play at the 2024 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup scored 3 goals, but she left early to return to her club.
She was selected for her second U-20 Women's World Cup in 2024. In the semifinals, she scored both of the goals in a 2–0 victory over the Netherlands. In this world cup she received the Silver Ball, and scored 3 goals.




= Senior national team

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Manaka received her first call-up to Japan's full team in October 2024.




Career statistics






= Club

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As of match played 5 October 2024




Honours


JFA Academy Fukushima

Nadeshiko Challenge League: 2020
Nadeshiko League 2: 2021
North Carolina Courage

NWSL Challenge Cup: 2023
Individual

WE League Outstanding Player Award: 2022–23




References






External links



Manaka Matsukubo at Soccerway

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Piala Asia Wanita AFC U-20 2024
• Manaka Matsukubo
• 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
• 2024 National Women's Soccer League season
• 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup
• North Carolina Courage
• 2024 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup
• Japan women's national under-20 football team
• Japan women's national football team
• Mynavi Sendai
• NWSL Challenge Cup