Hina Sugita
Club career. Sugita was born in Kitakyushu on January 31, 1997. After graduating from high school, she joined L.League club INAC Kobe Leonessa in 2015. She debuted as midfielder in 2015. She became a regular player in 2016 and was selected Best Young player award in 2016 season. On January 26, 2022, Sugita joined Portland Thorns based on a three-year deal. National team career. In September 2012, when Sugita was 15 years old, she was selected for Japan's U-17 national team for 2012 U-17 Women's World Cup. She played all 4 matches and scored 2  goals. In 2013, she played at the 2013 AFC U-16 Women's Championship, which Japan won for the second time in a row. She also scored 6 goals and was selected as the tournament MVP. In 2014, she was selected for Japan's U-17 team for the 2014 U-17 Women's World Cup. She played 5 matches as captain, scoring 5 goals and leading Japan to its first championship, as well as winning the tournament's Golden Ball (MVP). In November 2016, she was selected for Japan's U-20 national team for the 2016 U-20 Women's World Cup. She  played all 6 matches and Japan won the third place. She was also selected Golden Ball award. On August 2, 2018, Sugita debuted for the Japanese national team as substitute midfielder in the 72nd minute against Australia.