Liverpool Women ace Fuka Nagano stars in dramatic Japan win at the Olympics
Liverpool Women midfielder Fuka Nagano featured for the full 90 minutes as Japan beat Brazil 2-1 at the Olympics in dramatic fashion (28 July).
Mina Tanaka saw her first-half penalty saved by Lorena just before the break and Japan found themselves trailing in the 56 minute when Jheniffer gave Brazil the lead.
Tanaka was on hand again in the 89th minute, winning a second penalty for captain Saki Kumagai to convert before Momoko Tanikawa won the match for Japan with two minutes to go with a sensational long-range strike.
Nagano has featured in both of Japan’s group-stage matches at the Olympics in Paris and will need to beat Nigeria on Wednesday (31 July) to advance to the knockout stage.
Liverpool and Japan can count on Fuka Nagano
The 25-year-old played all but one match for Matt Beard’s side in the Women’s Super League last season as the Reds secured a fourth-place finish.
She has established herself at the heart of the Liverpool midfield since her move from North Carolina Courage in January 2023.
Nagano has made 32 appearances in the WSL for the Reds since her move and while she is yet to register a goal contribution, she has proven to be an integral player for both club and country.
The focus this summer is on improving the attack, Liverpool announced the club-record signing of Olivia Smith for £210,000 last month (BBC Sport, 27 June) and Beard is targeting more attacking options.
There is still work to be done on the defence, however, as the Reds conceded the most goals amongst the top four sides last season and Nagano will be integral to lowering the number of goals the team concedes.
She has taken her club form onto the international stage and averages 5.5 ball recoveries and 2.5 tackles per game at the Olympics (Sofascore).
Nagano has a lot of work ahead to improve her attacking contributions but has all the tools to be the heartbeat of Beard’s midfield and will no doubt play an important part moving forward as Liverpool aim to topple Chelsea, Manchester City, and Arsenal next season.
In other Liverpool news, Southampton eye loan deal for Liverpool teenager Ben Doak.
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