By Michael Geist (Text and photos)
Deutsche Version
20.08.2008
Hi Mami, congratulations for the “MAC Hermann Trophery 2007” award – what was the best moment for you during the ceremony?
Thank you. I was really honored to receive such a great award. I received a lot of congratulations from people from FSU, Japan and even people from other colleges and countries. It was really nice to read these messages. But I just want to say that none of this would have happened without my teammates, Mark Krikorian and the people around me.
Where did you grow up? How did you come up with the idea to play football?
As you may know, I am from Tokyo but I lived in Nishitokyoshi which is a part of Tokyo. I have been playing football since I was four years old because of my elder brother. He played football, so I started as well. I did everything he did, I was always following him.
A few months ago you joined Umeå IK. Did you get settled in well? What do you like most?
I came to Umeå IK in the middle of March, so I have been here for almost five months now. I have settled in pretty well. I still need to figure out my life beside football such as university etc. Football is what I like most here, because everyone plays or watches it – football is a part of their lives. And everyone is able to speak English! I like that, it really helps me.
 In the semi finals of the Uefa-Cup 2008 Mami Yamaguchi and Umeå IK knocked out French Champion Olympique Lyonnais
How did you get in touch with the Swedish top club?
I knew Susanne Granberg who works for Umeå IK. I met her in New Jersey when I was playing for New Jersey Wildcats in the W-League. I kept in touch with her, and last summer I was in Finland for a while, so I decided to visit Susanne and Umeå. While I was visiting her I attended to an individual training session for the Umeå IK’s youth team. Steve Galloway and Roland Arnqvist were there, and that was the beginning. We exchanged email addresses and so on.
You have been playing for Umeå since April. Can you compare the Damallsvenskan with the Japanese and American leagues?
It is difficult to compare because every country is different: different football style, environment, standing and facilities.
 Mami Yamaguchi and the ball are best friends!
Recently Linköpings FC lost at home to LdB FC Malmö 2:3 and is now five points ahead of Umeå IK. Do you think your club can get back to the top after the Olympics?
I do believe so. If we do not have any injured players, I am very confident that we can get back to the top.
In case the “Women’s United Soccer Association” start up again, can you imagine to go back to play in the USA?
I don’t know, you never know what’s going to happen in the future. Now my
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Mami Yamaguchi in March 2008
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focus is on Umeå IK. I love football here.
Let us talk about football in Japan and the Japanese national team. After the World Cup 2003 the number of girls and women playing football increased enormously in Germany, the Scandinavian countries and also in other countries. Do you have the same phenomenon in Japan?
Unfortunately we do not have the same phenomenon like Germany, the U.S. and Sweden. But it is getting popular little by little. If Japan is going to play well in this Olympics, it will get much better I think. So maybe they can start a professional football league in Japan. Everything depends on the results in the big tournaments like Olympics and world cups.
 Mami Yamaguchi and Meike Weber in the final of the Uefa-Cup 2008 in Frankfurt
What is your assessment of the development in Japan?
We have so many good players. They are skillful, technical and clever. But our environment is not good. The league is not professional, so most of the players have a fulltime or part-time job. In addition, it is difficult to find junior and high schools where girls can play football, so many girls quit football when they are young. But the Japanese Football Association is doing more and more to have better conditions for boys and girls. So it seems to be positive for the youth development.
You have been playing for the Japanese U15, U18 and U21 national teams. What was your greatest experience on the pitch?
All experiences were great! It is always nice and special to you represent your country and play against others.
You started oft in the women’s national team in 2007. Why did coach Norio Sasaki not appoint you for the Olympics in Beijing?
I do not know because I am not the head coach. He is the head coach, so it is his decision.
Which team of the group stage is the most difficult one: the USA, Norway or New Zealand?
There are no easy games. But the match against the USA will be the most difficult one I think.
Four years ago Japan won the first match of the Olympics in Athens against the Swedish favorites with 1:0. Do you think it is possible that Japan will fight with Norway to reach the second place in the group?
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Yes, I think it is. Every team has a possibility. Japan has many good players. Even if they don not have good physical abilities, it can be compensated by other things. I believe that they have better technique, quickness and organization.
Who is your favorite: the USA, Brazil or Germany? Or even a surprise winner? Do you think Norio Sasaki’s team has a chance to win a medal?
All the teams have a chance to win a medal. I do not have a favorite team but I will support my own country.
Let us talk about the Uefa Cup. In 2007, UIK lost the final against Arsenal, one year later against 1. FFC Frankfurt. Is it consoling for you to know that UIK can have a further chance in 2009?
I had no idea about the UEFA Cup before I came to Umeå. So to be honest, I did not know what it means and how big it is. But after the lost against Frankfurt I realized how big it is and what it means: it is everyone’s dream to play the UEFA Cup final for the female football players in Europe. There are many good teams so it is going to be tough. But we will try to come back to the final again and to be the champion this time.
 Mami Yamaguchi with Umeå IK in Frankfurt at the Uefa-Cup-Final. From the left Lisa Dahlquist, Madeleine Edlund, Johanna Rasmussen, Yamaguchi and Marta
Will Olympique Lyonnais have a chance for a revenge against UIK, in case the team has to play against your club in the quarter finals?
Of course they have a chance. They have a really good team. But personally I want to play against Arsenal London.
What do you whish for your future?
After finishing football career, I want to have four kids.
Thanks for the interview. For your future career FanSoccer wishes you all the best!
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