Japan star Ishikawa’s dream week: sign for Everton then star in rout of Chinese Taipei
Rion Ishikawa already looking beyond South Korea with sights set on second Asia World Cup triumph
Japanese footballer Rion Ishikawa may struggle to better her past week.
The defender, who has just turned 22, completed a dream move to Everton last Monday and then played a starring role in Japan’s 4-0 East Asian Football Championship victory over Chinese Taipei two days later.
Ranked No 7 in the world, Japan are favourites to win the tournament in South Korea but Ishikawa has her sights set on a much bigger prize, with the Asian Cup next year “one of our targets” and a second World Cup triumph in Brazil the year after.
Ishikawa was just eight when, in 2011, Japan secured what remains the only World Cup won by an Asian country.
“My older sister started playing because of Japan winning that tournament,” Ishikawa told the Post. “I wanted to follow her, so I quickly began playing, too. I think football was my destiny.
“We have so many good players in Japan, but I think I can improve in England, then bring what I learn back to help the national team. I want to deliver the performances and the results to inspire young girls in Japan.”