Chinatsu Kira

Chinatsu Kira (吉良 知夏, Kira Chinatsu, born July 5, 1991) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a forward. She plays for Japanese Nadeshiko League club Orca Kamogawa. She played for the Japanese national team.

Chinatsu Kira
吉良 知夏

Personal information
Full name	Chinatsu Kira
Date of birth	(1991-07-05) July 5, 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth	Usuki, Oita, Japan
Height	1.61 m (5 ft 3+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	SC Telstar
Number	10
Youth career
2007–2009	Kamimura Gakuen High School
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2010–2020	Urawa Reds	140	(51)
2020–2021	Melbourne City	11	(1)
2021–2022	Orca Kamogawa	2	(0)
2023 Jan-June	SE AEM	8	(0)
2023 -	SC Telstar	11	(1)
International career
2008	Japan U-17	3	(4)
2014	Japan	12	(5)
Medal record Urawa Reds Winner Nadeshiko League 2014 Runner-up Nadeshiko League 2010 Runner-up Nadeshiko League Cup 2010 Runner-up Nadeshiko League Cup 2017 Runner-up Empress's Cup 2010 Runner-up Empress's Cup 2014 Representing  Japan AFC Women's Asian Cup 2014 Vietnam Asian Games 2014 Incheon Team AFC U-19 Women's Championship 2007 China AFC U-16 Women's Championship 2007 Malaysia
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 26 December 2023

Club career

Urawa Reds

Kira was born in Usuki on July 5, 1991. After graduating from high school, she joined for Urawa Reds in 2010. She was selected Best Young Player awards in 2011 season.

Melbourne City

In December 2020, Kira joined Australian club Melbourne City to play for the first time outside of her home country.^[1]

Orca Kamogawa

In June 2021, Kira returned to Japan and signed with Nadeshiko League club Orca Kamogawa.^[2]

SE AEM

In January 2023, Kira signed with Liga F club SE AEM

SC Telstar VVNH

In august 2023, Kira signed with Eredivisie Vrouwen club SC Telstar VVNH.^[3] and became the first Japanese female player ever in Eredivisie Vrouwen.

National team career

In August 2008, Kira was selected for the Japan U-17 national team for the 2008 U-17 World Cup. She played three games and scored four goals.^[4] On May 8, 2014, she debuted for the Japan national team against New Zealand. She was a member of Japan's squad for the 2014 Asian Cup and the 2014 Asian Games. Japan won the championship at the Asian Cup and second place at the Asian Games. She played 12 games and scored 5 goals for Japan in 2014.

National team statistics

^[5]

Japan national team
Year	Apps	Goals
2014	12	5
Total	12	5

International goals

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	18 May 2014	Gò Đậu Stadium, Thủ Dầu Một, Vietnam	Jordan	1–0	7–0	2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup
2.				7–0
3.	18 September 2014	Incheon Namdong Asiad Rugby Field, Incheon, South Korea	Jordan	8–0	12–0	2014 Asian Games
4.				9–0
5.	22 September 2014	Incheon Munhak Stadium, Incheon, South Korea	Chinese Taipei	2–0	3–0

Honours

Japan

Winner

• AFC Women's Asian Cup: 2014

References

1. "Melbourne City FC signs Japanese International Chinatsu Kira". Melbourne City. 21 December 2020.
2. "吉良知夏選手 新加入のお知らせ" [Chinatsu Kira Newcomer Notice] (in Japanese). Orca Kamogawa. 16 June 2021. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
3. "Telstar Vrouwen versterkt zich met Japans oud-international Kira". Aug 2023.
4. FIFA
5. List of match in 2014 at Japan Football Association (in Japanese)

External links

• Chinatsu Kira – FIFA competition record (archived)
• Chinatsu Kira at Soccerway