Ayumi Kaihori (海堀 あゆみ, Kaihori Ayumi, born September 4, 1986) is a former Japanese footballer who played as a goalkeeper. She played for the Japan national team.
Kaihori was born in Nagaokakyo on September 4, 1986. In 2004, she was a high school student and joined the youth team for the Speranza FC Takatsuki. She moved to INAC Leonessa (later INAC Kobe Leonessa) in 2008. The club won the L.League championship three years in a row (2011-2013). She was also selected one of the Best Eleven twice, in 2011 and 2013. She retired in 2015.
In May 2008, Kaihori was selected by the Japan national team for the 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup. At this competition, on May 31, she debuted against Chinese Taipei.[1] She was Japan's goalkeeper in the 2011 World Cup final, where she saved two penalties from Shannon Boxx and Tobin Heath in the shoot-out. Japan defeated the United States, 3–1.[2] She was part of the Japanese team that finished second and earned the silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, playing in one game, vs South Africa, which saw Kaihori keep a clean sheet.[3] She also played five matches at the 2015 World Cup and Japan advanced to the final. But lost 5-2 to the United States and finished in second place. She played 53 games for Japan until 2015.
| Japan national team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2008 | 3 | 0 |
| 2009 | 3 | 0 |
| 2010 | 7 | 0 |
| 2011 | 14 | 0 |
| 2012 | 7 | 0 |
| 2013 | 6 | 0 |
| 2014 | 6 | 0 |
| 2015 | 7 | 0 |
| Total | 53 | 0 |
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