is a Japanese football player. She played for the Japan national team.
Biography
Sakaguchi was born in Sakai on October 15, 1987. In 2003, at the age of 15, she debuted in the Nadeshiko League at Speranza FC Takatsuki. After graduating from high school, she joined Tasaki Perule FC in 2006. She was selected Best Eleven in 2007. However, the club was disbanded in 2008 due to financial strain. She went to the United States and joined USL W-League club FC Indiana in 2009. In 2010, she returned to Japan and joined Albirex Niigata. She was selected Best Eleven in 2011. In 2012, she moved to Nippon TV Beleza (later Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza). She was selected MVP awards for 3 years in a row (2015-2017). However she hurt her knee in April 2018 and she lost her regular position. In 2021, she moved to Omiya Ardija Ventus with teammate Saori Ariyoshi.
In July 2006, Sakaguchi was selected to be on the Japan national team for the 2006 Asian Cup. At this competition, on July 19, she debuted and scored 2 goals against Vietnam. She played in the 2011 World Cup where Japan won the championship; Sakaguchi scored one of the penalties in the shootout against United States in the final. She also played in the 2015 World Cup where Japan came second. She was also part of the silver medal-winning 2012 Summer Olympic team. From June 2016, she was given the number 10 shirt for Japan by new manager Asako Takakura. She played at 2018 Asian Cup and won the champions. She played 124 games and scored 29 goals for Japan until 2018. She was also selected Japan for 2019 World Cup. However she could not play in the match.