BEEFED-UP ALBIREX EYE WPL TITLE

They have snagged three key players from defending champions Sailors

- Lin Tianbao

Former Japan international Kana Kitahara's star appeal is showing no signs of abating, even as she steps into uncharted territory by taking on the dual role of playercoach at Albirex Niigata ahead of the Deloitte Women's Premier League (WPL) season kicking off on March 9.

The 35-year-old is one of the reasons Albirex are able to sign 17 players, including several marquee Singapore stars, as they look to wrest the title after finishing second to champions Lion City Sailors in the last two seasons.

The new additions include an accomplished trio from the Sailors defender Ernie Sontaril and attacking players Nur Izzati Rosni and Lila Tan.

Other notable names are 2022 WPL Player of the Year Manami Fukuzawa, 2022 Young Player of the Year Haziqah Haszman, Singapore national skipper Siti Rosnani Azman and 2023 Young Player of the Year Dhaniyah Qasimah.

Ernie, who captained the Sailors through back-to-back undefeated seasons from 2022, said she was attracted by the prospect of working under Kitahara, who helped Japan finish second at the 2015 Women's World Cup.