AFP, Lyon :
Japan midfielder Saki Kumagai has a special reason to look forward to her country’s opening match in the women’s World Cup – her adopted home is France.
Kumagai has been with Lyon since 2013, and has helped the French side become Europe’s pre-eminent force in the women’s club game.
Lyon won their fourth consecutive Champions League title last month, crushing Barcelona 4-1 in the final.
Now the 28-year-old’s thoughts are turning to the challenge ahead with Japan, who were world champions in 2011 but were beaten by the USA in the final four years ago.
Japan open their campaign against Argentina at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Monday.
