Shiho Matsubara
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Shiho Matsubara | ||
| Date of birth | 7 July 1997 | ||
| Place of birth | Takaishi, Japan | ||
| Height | 1.62 m (5 ft 4 in) | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Piteå | ||
| Number | 8 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Erba | |||
| Cerezo Osaka | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2013–2020 | Cerezo Osaka | 109 | (32) |
| 2019–2020 | → Albirex Niigata (loan) | 32 | (0) |
| 2021–2023 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 8 | (0) |
| 2023–2025 | Fortuna Hjørring | 43 | (1) |
| 2025– | Piteå | 14 | (2) |
| International career | |||
| 2013 | Japan U16 | ||
| 2014 | Japan U17 | 6 | (2) |
| 2016 | Japan U20 | 5 | (2) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 22 February 2026 | |||
Shiho Matsubara (松原 志歩, Matsubara Shiho; pronounced [matsɯbaɾa ɕiho]; born 7 July 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for Damallsvenskan club Piteå IF.[1] She previously played for Nadeshiko League and WE League clubs Cerezo Osaka Sakai, Albirex Niigata and Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina, and for Kvindeliga club Fortuna Hjørring.
Matsubara is the older sister of Yuna Matsubara, who is also a professional footballer (currently playing for WE League club INAC Kobe Leonessa).[2]
Matsubara was born on 7 July 1997 in Takaishi, Osaka Prefecture.
Matsubara began playing football (alongside younger sister, Yuna, who is also a professional footballer)[2] in the third grade of elementary school, inspired by her brother. She played with boys at Erba FC, before joining Cerezo Osaka Sakai's under-15s team in junior high school. At the time, she was playing as a forward.[3]
After graduating from senior high school, Matsubara attended university at Mukogawa Women's University Junior College Division, a private junior college in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture. Whilst playing, she became a coach at Cerezo Osaka Soccer School.
Club career
Cerezo Osaka Sakai
Matsubara was developed as an academy product of Cerezo Osaka Sakai. She played her 100th Nadeshiko League game for the club on 4 June 2018 in a Division 1 match against Urawa Red Diamonds away from home.[4]
Albirex Niigata
In 2019, Matsubara was loaned out to Albirex Niigata for the 2019 season.[5] In 2020, her loan was extended for another year until the end of the 2020 season.[6]
Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina
In 2021, Matsubara signed for Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina ahead of the 2021–22 season, the inaugural season of the WE League (which was previously known as the Nadeshiko League, which became the second division).[7]
In 2023, following the conclusion of the 2022–23 season, Matsubara departed the club to pursue an opportunity overseas.[8]
Fortuna Hjørring
In 2023, Matsubara moved to Denmark and signed for Kvindeliga club Fortuna Hjørring ahead of the 2023–24 season.[9][10][11]
Piteå IF
In 2025, Matsubara moved to Sweden and signed for Damallsvenskan club Piteå IF during the 2025 season.[12]
