Aya Shimokozuru

Aya Shimokozuru
下小鶴綾
Personal information
Full name	Aya Shimokozuru
Date of birth	7 June 1982 (age 42)
Place of birth	Nagaokakyo, Kyoto, Japan
Height	1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
	Matsushita Electric Panasonic Bambina
Senior career*
Years	Team
1999–2004	Speranza FC Takatsuki
2005–2008	Tasaki Perule FC
2009	Speranza FC Takatsuki
2010–2011	TEPCO Mareeze
2012–2013	Vegalta Sendai
Total
International career
2004–2008	Japan
Medal record
Representing Japan
AFC Women's Asian Cup
Asian Games
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Aya Shimokozuru (下小鶴綾, Shimokozuru Aya, born 7 June 1982) is a former Japanese football player. She played for Japan national team.

Club career

Shimokozuru was born in Nagaokakyo on 7 June 1982. In 1999, she joined Matsushita Electric Panasonic Bambina (later Speranza FC Takatsuki) from youth team. In 2005, she graduated from Kansai University and moved to Tasaki Perule FC. She was selected Best Eleven in 2005, 2006. However, in 2008, the club was disbanded due to financial strain and she retired. In May 2009, she came back at Speranza FC Takatsuki. In 2010, she moved to TEPCO Mareeze. However, the club was disbanded for Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011. She moved to new club Vegalta Sendai and played as captain. She retired end of 2013 season.

In April 2004, Shimokozuru was selected Japan national team for 2004 Summer Olympics qualification. At this competition, on 18 April, she debuted against Vietnam. She was a member of Japan for 2004 Summer Olympics. She also played at 2006, 2008 Asian Cup and 2006 Asian Games. She played 28 games for Japan until 2008.^[1]