Saki Matsunaga (born December 26, 1995) is a talented defender currently representing Chinese Taipei at international level and playing domestically for Hang Yuan W in Taiwan. With experience in Japan’s Nadeshiko League and youth international football, she brings tactical discipline and calm presence to the backline.
Club Career: Japan to Taiwan
Matsunaga began her club journey in Japan, appearing for Ehime FC Ladies in the Nadeshiko League, where she played 14 matches during the 2020 season and logged over 1,050 minutes of playing time . After a stint abroad, she joined Hang Yuan W in Taiwan’s top women’s league, continuing her club career closer to home
International Career & Impact
EAFF E‑1 Championship
Selected for the EAFF E‑1 Football Championship Women 2025, she started in all three group matches for Chinese Taipei, amassing 224 minutes of playing time and leading from the back as a disciplined center‑back .
Friendly Matches
She also appeared in four international friendlies during early 2025, where she contributed a goal and continued to build match experience at senior level
Playing Style & Strengths
Matsunaga is known as a modern defensive player with the following qualities:
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Tactical awareness and positioning: Reads play well, maintains defensive shape, and intercepts danger.
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Composure in possession: Comfortable playing out from the back under pressure.
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Aerial and tackling strength: Effective in duels and defending set-pieces.
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Leadership presence: Trusted by coaches to anchor the defence and organize teammates.
Her consistency makes her a reliable member of both club and country defensive setups.
Key Stats & Milestones
| Category | Stats & Highlights |
|---|---|
| Position | Defender (center-back) |
| Clubs | Ehime FC Ladies (Japan), Hang Yuan W (Taiwan) |
| Nadeshiko League Appearances | 14 matches in 2020 season |
| Club Minutes | Over 1,050 minutes in Japanese league duty |
| National Team Caps (2025) | 7 appearances across friendlies and EAFF |
| National Goals | 1 goal scored in international friendly matches |
These figures reflect her growing role across competitive environments
Future Outlook & Potential
At age 29, Matsunaga combines latitude in experience with a stable physical presence. Going forward:
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She’s poised to remain a central figure in Chinese Taipei’s defence for upcoming EAFF and AFC qualifiers.
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Continued club involvement in Taiwan keeps her connected to local talent development and leadership.
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With increasing match exposure, she could evolve into a mentor and anchor for younger defenders emerging in the national setup.
Conclusion
Saki Matsunaga represents the confluence of international experience and tactical reliability in Chinese Taipei’s defensive line. From Japan’s competitive league to full international minutes in 2025, she brings maturity, composure, and consistency to her position. As she continues to feature for club and country, Matsunaga remains a key asset in Taiwan’s pursuit of stability and competitive growth in women’s football.
