Maya Hijikata (土方 麻椰, Hijikata Maya, born April 13, 2004) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a striker for the Japanese club NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza and the Japanese national team.

Maya Hijikata
Personal information
Date of birth (2004-04-13) April 13, 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth Niiza, Saitama, Japan
Height 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza
Number 11
Youth career
2020–2022 NTV Tokyo Verdy Menina
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza 30 (7)
International career
2022–2024 Japan U-20 13 (5)
2023– Japan 5 (2)
Medal record
Women's football
Representing  Japan
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2022 Hangzhou Women's tournament
FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
Runner-up Colombia 2024
AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup
Runner-up 2024 Uzbekistan
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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In 2023, Hijikata was promoted from Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Menina to Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza.[1]

International career

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In July 2022, Hijikata was selected for the Japanese U-20 national team for the U-20 Women's World Cup. She played in five matches at the tournament, contributing to Japan's runner-up finish.[2][3]

In August 2023, Hijikata was selected for the senior Japanese national team for the Asian Games.[4] She played in five matches at the tournament, scoring two goals and contributing to Japan's victory.[5]

Hijikata was selected for the national team for the 2024 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup held in Uzbekistan in February 2024 and was also selected for the national team for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in September of the same year.[6][7]

Honours

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Japan

Japan U-20

Individual

  • AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup Top Scorer: 2024

References

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  1. ^ "土方麻椰 選手、柏村菜那 選手、ベレーザ昇格のお知らせ". Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza.
  2. ^ "U-20日本女子代表 FIFA U-20女子ワールドカップコスタリカ2022【8.7-28@コスタリカ】メンバー". Japan Football Association.
  3. ^ "FIFA U-20女子ワールドカップ コスタリカ2022". Japan Football Association.
  4. ^ "第19回アジア競技大会(2022/杭州)日本女子代表 メンバー&スケジュール【9.22-10.6@中国】". Japan Football Association.
  5. ^ "第19回アジア競技大会(2022/杭州)". Japan Football Association.
  6. ^ "U-20日本女子代表 メンバー・スケジュール AFC U20女子アジアカップ ウズベキスタン 2024(2.19-3.18@ウズベキスタン)" (Press release) (in Japanese). 日本サッカー協会. 13 February 2024.
  7. ^ "U-20日本女子代表 メンバー・スケジュール FIFA U-20女子ワールドカップ コロンビア2024" (Press release) (in Japanese). 日本サッカー協会. 14 August 2024.