© Getty Images When Japan take to the pitch for their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Papua New Guinea 2016 semi-final against France on Tuesday 29 November, coach Asako Takakura will have more than a possible final appearance in her sights. After all, few people have a better insight into the way these youth tournaments can help when working with a senior national side than she does. In addition to overseeing the U-20s, Takakura steered the U-17s to World Cup glory in 2014 and has been in charge of the senior team since last spring – an arrangement unlike any other in women’s football.
“The main advantage of looking after players from U-17 level onwards is that you can observe their development extremely well,” she told FIFA.com. “I can judge their potential better if I’ve been working with them over several years. For me, winning the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup was a kind of springboard to the next level,” Takakura added, before explaining: “After the tournament I’ll decide which player..
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