INAC Kobe Leonessa
| Full name | International Athletic Club Kobe Leonessa | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2001 | ||
| Ground | Noevir Stadium Kobe | ||
| Capacity | 30,132 | ||
| Manager | Jordi Ferrón | ||
| League | WE League | ||
| Website | https://inac-kobe.com/ | ||
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INAC Kobe(INAC神戸レオネッサ, Ainakku-Kōbe Reonessa) is a professional Japanese football club from Kobe, founded in 2001.[1] INAC stands for International Athletic Club, while Leonessa means Lioness in Italian.
In 2006 INAC Leonessa was promoted to the Nadeshiko.League, where it has played since 2020. In 2021 they are playing in WE League. The 2008 season marked a great leap for the team as it was the runner-up both in the Nadeshiko.League and the All Japan Women's Football Championship. 2010 saw INAC lift its first title as they beat Urawa Red Diamonds in the final of the All Japan Women's Football Championship through a penalty shootout, and in 2011, coinciding with the club's 10th anniversary, the team won the double Nadeshiko.League – All Japan Women's Football Championship.[2]
Leonessa's 2011 squad included seven champions of the 2011 World Cup: Ayumi Kaihori, Yukari Kinga, Nahomi Kawasumi, Shinobu Ohno, Homare Sawa, Megumi Takase and Asuna Tanaka.
Kits
Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor (chest) | Shirt sponsor (sleeve) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–2022 | Hummel International | Earth | |
| 2022–2023 | Art Moving |
Mascot
Raimu-chan
- Born September 3.
- Modeled after the lioness from which the team got its name.
- Her favorite foods are Yakiniku and Japanese-style rolled omelette.
Players
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Club staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager | Jordi Ferrón |
| Assistant Manager | Eri Higashi Ryota Shimizu |
| Goalkeeper Coach | Riki Takashi |
| Fitness Coach | Masao Tateishi |
| Team Doctor | Ryosuke Kuroda Takehiko Matsushita Yoshiyuki Okada Koji Sofuyu Hide Watanabe Wado Kitayama Shosuke Nagata Rika Shigemoto |
Honours
Domestic
- WE League
- Nadeshiko.League Division 1
- Empress's Cup
- WE League Cup
- Runners-up (1): 2024–25
- Nadeshiko League Cup
- Champions (1): 2013
- Runners-up (3): 2012, 2018, 2019
International
- Japan/Korea Women's League Championship
- Champions (1): 2012
- International Women's Club Championship
- Champions (1): 2013
- Runners-up (1): 2012
Season-by-season records
| Season | Domestic League | Empress's Cup | Nadeshiko League Cup / WE League Cup | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | Level | Position | Tms. | |||
2002
|
Kansai League Division 3
|
4
|
Champions
|
DNQ
|
—
| |
2003
|
Kansai League Division 2
|
3
|
Champions
|
8
|
DNQ
|
—
|
2004
|
Kansai League Division 1
|
Champions
|
8
|
Second round
|
—
| |
2005
|
2
|
Champions
|
7
|
Quarter-finals
|
—
| |
2006
|
Nadeshiko League Division 1 | 1
|
5th
|
8
|
Quarter-finals
|
—
|
2007
|
4th
|
8
|
Semi-finals
|
Semi-finals
| ||
2008
|
2nd
|
8
|
Runners-up
|
—
| ||
2009
|
4th
|
8
|
Semi-finals
|
—
| ||
2010
|
4th
|
10
|
Winners
|
Semi-finals
| ||
2011
|
Champions
|
9
|
Winners
|
—
| ||
2012
|
Champions
|
10
|
Winners
|
Runners-up
| ||
2013
|
Champions
|
10
|
Winners
|
Winners
| ||
2014
|
6th
|
10
|
Quarter-finals
|
—
| ||
2015
|
Nadeshiko League Division 1 | 3rd
|
10
|
Winners
|
—
| |
2016
|
2nd
|
10
|
Winners
|
Group stage
| ||
2017
|
2nd
|
10
|
Third round
|
Semi-finals
| ||
2018
|
2nd
|
10
|
Runners-up
|
Runners-up
| ||
2019
|
3rd
|
10
|
Semi-finals
|
Runners-up
| ||
2020
|
2nd
|
10
|
Quarter-finals
|
—
| ||
2021
|
–
|
–
|
Fourth round
|
—
| ||
| 2021–22 | WE League | 1
|
Champions
|
11
|
Not held
| |
| 2022–23 | 2nd
|
11
|
Runners-up
|
Group stage
| ||
Transition of team name
- INAC Leonessa: 2001–2008
- INAC Kobe Leonessa: 2009–present
See also
References
- ^ CLUB DATA
- ^ "INAC Kobe Leonessa capture third straight Nadeshiko League championship". Goal.com. 14 October 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
- ^ "Players". INAC Football Club (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 December 2024.
- ^ "Player / Manager". WE League. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
External links
- Official website (in Japanese)