# Aya Miyama

Aya Miyama (宮間 あや, Miyama Aya, born 28 January 1985) is a Japanese former footballer who played for the Japan national team starting in 2003, and from 2012 to 2016 served as captain of the team. She appeared in four World Cups between 2003 and 2015, and was part of the team that won the 2011 World Cup for Japan. Miyama also led Japan to a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

## Club career
### Early career

Miyama was born in Ōamishirasato, Sanbu District, Chiba Prefecture, on 28 January 1985 . She started her career as a football player in the club her father founded. She later joined Nippon TV Beleza in 1999 after playing with their youth team, but when she was in eleventh grade, she left the team and went to the high school football club. Even among male players, she kept playing football.
Miyama joined L.League side Okayama Yunogo Belle in 2001, having received an invitation from Midori Honda, the coach.

### WPS

On 24 November 2008, Miyama was selected by the Los Angeles Sol of the U.S. Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) in the 2008 WPS International Draft, and joined Sol in 2009. In the 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season, she had 6 assists but no goals. When the Sol disbanded in early 2010, she was taken by Saint Louis Athletica. Miyama signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Beat on 10 June 2010.

### Return to Japan

Miyama returned to Okayama Yunogo Belle in September 2010. She left the club at the end of the 2016 season.

## International career

At the 2007 World Cup held in China, Miyama performed brilliantly in Japan's match against England, scoring the team's two goals both from direct free kicks as they held on to a draw. In Japan's first group stage match of the 2011 World Cup, she scored the go-ahead goal in Japan's win against New Zealand from another free kick in the 68th minute, and was named Player of the Match.
At the 2011 World Cup in Germany, Miyama scored the winner – a curling free kick – to help Japan beat New Zealand, and netted Japan's first goal in the final against the USA. Miyama also scored Japan's first penalty of the eventual penalty shoot-out in the final which ended 2–2 after extra time. Her team won 3–1 in the penalty shoot-out, making them the first Asian team to win the World Cup. In the moment of victory, Miyama did not join her teammates in celebration, but instead went to the American players to hug and congratulate them. This has been reported both by Hope Solo and the Japanese media as evidence of Miyama's sportsmanship and respect for her opponents.
Miyama was named the AFC Women's Footballer of the Year in 2011, 2012 and 2015.
At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Miyama led Japan to the silver medal as captain. At the 2015 World Cup, she also captained the team and lost in the final to the USA. At the 2016 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Japan failed to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Following the tournament, she retired from the national team. She played 162 matches and scored 38 goals for Japan.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of 21 November 2015
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | National cup | National cup | League cup | League cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Nippon TV Beleza | 1999 | 0 | 0 | | | | | – | – | | |
| Nippon TV Beleza | 2000 | 6 | 2 | | | – | – | – | – | | |
| Nippon TV Beleza | Total | 6 | 2 | | | | | – | – | | |
| Okayama Yunogo Belle | 2003 | 16 | 13 | 2 | 1 | – | – | – | – | 18 | 14 |
| Okayama Yunogo Belle | 2004 | 14 | 17 | | | – | – | – | – | | |
| Okayama Yunogo Belle | 2005 | 21 | 8 | 4 | 4 | – | – | – | – | 25 | 12 |
| Okayama Yunogo Belle | 2006 | 17 | 6 | 4 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 21 | 16 |
| Okayama Yunogo Belle | 2007 | 21 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 23 | 9 |
| Okayama Yunogo Belle | 2008 | 21 | 9 | 2 | 1 | – | – | – | – | 23 | 10 |
| Okayama Yunogo Belle | Total | 110 | 62 | | | 0 | 0 | – | – | | |
| Los Angeles Sol | 2009 | 20 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 1 | 0 | 21 | 0 |
| Okayama Yunogo Belle | 2009 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 2 | – | – | – | – | 8 | 3 |
| Saint Louis Athletica | 2010 | 5 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 5 | 0 |
| Atlanta Beat | 2010 | 17 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 17 | 1 |
| Okayama Yunogo Belle | 2010 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 9 | 4 |
| Okayama Yunogo Belle | 2011 | 16 | 9 | 3 | 1 | – | – | – | – | 19 | 10 |
| Okayama Yunogo Belle | 2012 | 18 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | – | – | 24 | 9 |
| Okayama Yunogo Belle | 2013 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 9 | – | – | 31 | 16 |
| Okayama Yunogo Belle | 2014 | 28 | 15 | 2 | 1 | – | – | – | – | 30 | 16 |
| Okayama Yunogo Belle | 2015 | 24 | 6 | 2 | 1 | – | – | – | – | 26 | 7 |
| Okayama Yunogo Belle | Total | 111 | 45 | 14 | 6 | 14 | 11 | – | – | 139 | 62 |
| Career total | Career total | 275 | 111 | | | | | 1 | 0 | | |
* ↑ Includes 2009 Women's Professional Soccer Playoffs.

### International

Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Japan | 2003 | 6 | 2 |
| Japan | 2004 | 1 | 2 |
| Japan | 2005 | 9 | 2 |
| Japan | 2006 | 17 | 3 |
| Japan | 2007 | 17 | 6 |
| Japan | 2008 | 18 | 4 |
| Japan | 2009 | 1 | 1 |
| Japan | 2010 | 17 | 2 |
| Japan | 2011 | 18 | 4 |
| Japan | 2012 | 16 | 3 |
| Japan | 2013 | 7 | 1 |
| Japan | 2014 | 17 | 4 |
| Japan | 2015 | 13 | 4 |
| Japan | 2016 | 5 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 162 | 38 |
    Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Miyama goal.
List of international goals scored by Aya Miyama :
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1 | 9 June 2003 | Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Philippines | 13–0 | 15–0 | 2003 AFC Women's Championship |
| 2 | 22 July 2003 | Sendai Stadium, Sendai, Japan | South Korea | 4–0 | 5–0 | Friendly |
| 3 | 18 December 2004 | Nishigaoka Soccer Stadium, Tokyo, Japan | Chinese Taipei | 2–0 | 11–0 | Friendly |
| 4 | 18 December 2004 | Nishigaoka Soccer Stadium, Tokyo, Japan | Chinese Taipei | 4–0 | 11–0 | Friendly |
| 5 | 29 March 2005 | Miranda, Australia | Australia | 1–2 | 1–2 | Friendly |
| 6 | 21 May 2005 | Nishigaoka Soccer Stadium, Tokyo, Japan | New Zealand | 5–0 | 6–0 | Friendly |
| 7 | 23 July 2006 | Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, Australia | China | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup |
| 8 | 23 November 2006 | Wildparkstadion, Karlsruhe, Germany | Germany | 2–6 | 3–6 | Friendly |
| 9 | 30 November 2006 | Grand Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar | Jordan | 2–0 | 13–0 | 2006 Asian Games |
| 10 | 12 February 2007 | GSZ Stadium, Larnaca, Cyprus | Sweden | 1–1 | 2–2 | Friendly |
| 11 | 10 March 2007 | National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan | Mexico | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification |
| 12 | 10 June 2007 | Bucheon Stadium, Bucheon, South Korea | South Korea | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2008 Summer Olympics qualification |
| 13 | 4 August 2007 | Lạch Tray Stadium, Hai Phong, Vietnam | Vietnam | 4–0 | 8–0 | 2008 Summer Olympics qualification |
| 14 | 11 September 2007 | Hongkou Football Stadium, Shanghai, China | England | 1–0 | 2–2 | 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup |
| 15 | 11 September 2007 | Hongkou Football Stadium, Shanghai, China | England | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup |
| 16 | 18 February 2008 | Yongchuan Stadium, Chongqing, China | North Korea | 2–2 | 3–2 | 2008 EAFF Women's Football Championship |
| 17 | 2 June 2008 | Thong Nhat Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | Australia | 3–0 | 3–1 | 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup |
| 18 | 8 June 2008 | Thong Nhat Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | Australia | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup |
| 19 | 6 August 2008 | Qinhuangdao Olympic Stadium, Qinhuangdao, China | New Zealand | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2008 Summer Olympics |
| 20 | 14 November 2009 | Urawa Komaba Stadium, Saitama, Japan | New Zealand | 1–0 | 2–1 | Friendly |
| 21 | 6 February 2010 | Ajinomoto Stadium, Chōfu, Japan | China | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2010 EAFF Women's Football Championship |
| 22 | 20 May 2010 | Chengdu Sports Centre, Chengdu, China | Myanmar | 5–0 | 8–0 | 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup |
| 23 | 2 March 2011 | Vila Real de Santo António, Portugal | United States | 1–2 | 1–2 | 2011 Algarve Cup |
| 24 | 18 June 2011 | Ningineer Stadium, Matsuyama, Japan | South Korea | 1–0 | 1–1 | Friendly |
| 25 | 27 June 2011 | Ruhrstadion, Bochum, Germany | New Zealand | 2–1 | 2–1 | 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup |
| 26 | 17 July 2011 | Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt, Germany | United States | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup |
| 27 | 5 April 2012 | Home's Stadium Kobe, Kobe, Japan | Brazil | 3–1 | 4–1 | Kirin Challenge Cup |
| 28 | 11 July 2012 | National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan | Australia | 1–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
| 29 | 25 July 2012 | City of Coventry Stadium, Coventry, England | Canada | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2012 Summer Olympics |
| 30 | 26 September 2013 | Fukuda Denshi Arena, Chiba, Japan | Nigeria | 1–0 | 2–0 | Friendly |
| 31 | 5 March 2014 | Stadium Bela Vista, Parchal, Portugal | United States | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2014 Algarve Cup |
| 32 | 10 March 2014 | Estádio Algarve, Faro, Portugal | Sweden | 2–1 | 2–1 | 2014 Algarve Cup |
| 33 | 18 September 2014 | Namdong Asiad Rugby Field, Incheon, South Korea | Jordan | 10–0 | 12–0 | 2014 Asian Games |
| 34 | 1 October 2014 | Incheon Munhak Stadium, Incheon, South Korea | North Korea | 1–2 | 1–3 | 2014 Asian Games |
| 35 | 11 March 2015 | Estádio Algarve, Faro, Portugal | Iceland | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2015 Algarve Cup |
| 36 | 11 March 2015 | Estádio Algarve, Faro, Portugal | Iceland | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2015 Algarve Cup |
| 37 | 9 June 2015 | BC Place, Vancouver, Canada | Switzerland | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup |
| 38 | 23 June 2015 | BC Place, Vancouver, Canada | Netherlands | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup |

## Honors

Japan
* FIFA Women's World Cup: 2011; runner-up: 2015
* Summer Olympics runner-up: 2012
* AFC Women's Asian Cup: 2014
* Asian Games Gold Medal: 2010
* East Asian Football Championship: 2008, 2010
Individual
* FIFA Women's World Cup All-Star Team: 2011
* FIFA Women's World Cup Bronze Ball: 2015
* AFC Women's Asian Cup Best player: 2014
* AFC Women's Player of the Year: 2011, 2012, 2015
* Algarve Cup Best player: 2012
* L.League Division 1 Best Eleven (6): 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
* L.League Division 2 Best Player: 2004
* L.League Division 2 top scorer: 2004
* FIFPro: FIFA FIFPro World XI 2015
* IFFHS AFC Woman Team of the Decade 2011–2020