After an undefeated campaign, and a record fourth W-League Championship in the 2019/2020 season, Melbourne City FC has lost many of their key players to international leagues, including defenders Ellie Carpenter and Stephanie Catley , and goal Keeper Lyida Williams who have all made the move to England, while Japanese National Yukari Kinga have returned to Japan.
Highlight
- W League's defending champion Melbourne City faces a challenge to regroup its side after losing much of their players to international league
- Chinatsu Kira is one of the new recruits this season, with the No.10 jersey
Helping coach Rado Vidosic to re-group his side, is Japanese International Chinatsu Kira, who for the past 10 years have proudly worn the No. 10 jersey in Urawa Reds, scoring over 50 goals during her career. She was named league's best young player in 2011, and have capped 12 times by her country, scoring 5 goals.
Chintasu says she arrived in Australia "Wanting to have a fresh start" and that she did not have any preference for the jersey number.
Source: Melbourne City FC
"It doesn't matter what number I get. It will not change what I do"
So Chinatsu was pleasantly surprised when given the No.10 jersey by the club.
"I take it as an expectation on me, so I really want to do well for the club"
Chintsu's debut game came at the 62nd minute of the round 2 games against Canberra United. 15minutes after substitution, Chinatsu was given a freekick.
"I knew it was good ball. And Jenna made an incredible heading shooter"
No one would have guessed that Chinatsu was not signed to a club for almost a year, and have only been with the team for just over a week.
Although Melbourne Victory scored the deciding goal at injury time, we saw a glimpse of what Chinatsu can do.
"Unlike the Japanese soccer that involves lot of passing around, Australian soccer moves forward quickly, and are extremely strong during one on one situation"
Chinatsu says that as a striker, her goal is to be "involved in much score as possible" and help the team defend their chamionship status.
Melbourne City's next match will be another derby against Melbourne Victory, due to many of the games against NSW and QLD teams postponed due to coronavirus.
