In June 2009, the Japanese Football Association appointed Yoshida Bo as the head coach of women's football U16 (1993-1994) to prepare for the 2009 Asian Youth Women's Football Championship and the 20 10 World Youth Women's Football Championship. In Yoshida Bo's tactical system, the Japanese young women's football team adopts a 4-5- 1 formation. Because Kumi Yokoyama's physical condition is not outstanding, he naturally can't get more performance opportunities in his familiar striker position, but uses it as a full-back. This has greatly limited Kumi Yokoyama's development in the Japanese youth team.
In August 2009, the newly formed Japanese U 16 women's national youth team went to the French Tour, and Kumi Yokoyama was selected as a winger. During his stay in France, Kumi Yokoyama participated in three friendly matches for the French team, but he didn't score goals or assist. In June 2009, 165438+ 10, the U 16 Asian Junior Women's Football Championship was held in Thailand, and Kumi Yokoyama was not selected for the Japanese team.
Kumi Yokoyama was able to impress Japanese women's football coach U 17, Yoshida Bo, because of his outstanding performance in the national women's football competition for middle school students held in Japan two months ago.
20 10 In July, Kumi Yokoyama represented Shiwen High School in Japan's National Middle School Women's Football Championship 16, but in the final of18, she lost 0: 1 to Japan Xueyuan High School in Hyogo Prefecture. However, in the first game of this game, Shi Wen High School beat Songshan Dong Yun High School 7-0, and Kumi Yokoyama, a professional striker wearing the jersey 1 1, scored four goals alone. Kumi Yokoyama made up for the lack of physical condition with her excellent personal skills, good speed and tenacious fighting spirit, and at the same time moved Yoshida Bo who was watching the game, and immediately decided to call her to join the team to participate in the U 17 Women's World Cup held in Trinidad and Tobago.
In this U 17 Women's World Cup, Japan lost to Spain with a big score of 1-4 in the first match. Yoshida Bo, who suffered greatly, therefore considered changing the tactics of the team. It is this change that has had a miraculous effect, which has given Kumi Yokoyama a familiar space to play in the 4-4-2 double striker formation. Up to now, Kumi Yokoyama has scored six goals in five games, becoming the top scorer of the Japanese team and ranking third in the top scorer list.
On September 25th, Japan and South Korea met in the final of this U 17 Women's World Cup. Last year, in the Asian Youth Women's Football Championship held in Thailand, South Korea defeated Japan by 1-0 in the semi-final and finally won the championship. Before the final, the Japanese team made full preparations, determined to defeat the opponent's revenge for last year's Asian junior tournament and create the history of Japanese women's football. Kumi Yokoyama was highly anticipated by head coach Yoshida Bo and made his debut in this game. In the match, Japan had an absolute advantage in possession rate, shooting times and set-pieces times, but it drew 3-3 with its opponent within 90 minutes. In the first 104 minute of extra time, Kumi Yokoyama, who was closely watched by her opponent but didn't perform well, was replaced by her teammates, ending the journey of women's football U 17. In the end, Japan lost the final 4-5 in the penalty shootout and won the runner-up. Kumi Yokoyama won the Bronze Boot Award with six goals.