INAC Kobe Leonessa published its FIFA Women’s Champions League roster Friday ahead of a November group-stage opener, pairing Japan national team stalwarts with Brazilian forward Luana Ketlen acquired after the summer transfer window. Asuka Mori’s sports desk notes the list signals coach Takashi Kamegaki’s intent to press high in European competition—not rotate purely for domestic WE League fixtures.
Roster highlights
Goalkeeper Momoko Tanaka and defender Risa Shimizu anchor the back line, with midfielder Yui Hiwatashi tasked with linking transitions. Ketlen’s pace on the left wing adds a dimension Leonessa lacked last season when injuries thinned the attack.
Reserves include U-20 prospects who starred in September’s youth tournaments, though they may see limited minutes unless travel congestion bites.
Schedule pressure
The Champions League opener lands days after a WE League derby against Urawa Reds, forcing rotation choices Kamegaki avoided in press comments. Charter flights to the host city are booked to minimize jet lag.
Domestic broadcasters secured rights for the European matches, hoping Nadeshiko interest spikes after the Women’s World Cup cycle.
Club finances
Leonessa’s sponsorship board expanded after Kobe’s municipal government renewed stadium subsidies. European prize money could fund training-ground upgrades if the club advances past the group.
Injuries remain the falsifier—Ketlen missed two friendlies with a hamstring tweak but trained fully this week.
Fan notes
Home tickets for the WE League run sell separately from away European packages. Club shops release a Champions League scarf drop next Monday; online queues are expected.
Tactical notes
Kamegaki experimented with a three-at-the-back look in Wednesday training, suggesting he may start veteran center back Moeka Minami beside Shimizu when facing taller European forwards. Set-piece drills emphasized near-post runs Ketlen practiced with Brazil’s youth national team.
Youth pipeline
Leonessa’s academy graduates two defenders to JFA training camps next month; European minutes will not be sacrificed for those call-ups unless injuries force the issue.
Travel and recovery
Leonessa’s medical staff scheduled cold-plunge rotations and sleep-tracking for long-haul legs, copying protocols Japan’s men’s national team used during recent overseas windows. Nutritionists adjusted protein targets for Ketlen’s integration week to manage muscle load.
Kobe city tourism boards hope European fixtures televised nationally will boost weekend attendance at Noevir Stadium even for domestic league matches.
Group opponents
Leonessa drew a group with a Scandinavian champion and a Middle Eastern debutante; travel distances favor the European side on rest days. Kamegaki told local media he wants aggressive pressing in the opener to steal home aggregate advantage before the return leg in Kobe.
Broadcast and sponsors
National broadcaster NHK will air the home leg on delay-free terrestrial TV if the club reaches the knockout round. Shirt sponsor logos were adjusted for UEFA-style clean zones on European broadcasts—a detail merchandising staff resolved in August.