The defender, a sole link between the past and present, is focused on nurturing young talent to help her country realise its 50-year plan The defender, a sole link between the past and present, is focused on nurturing young talent to help her country realise its 50-year plan “R anking!?” Saki Kumagai says with a laugh. In the afterglow of her team’s Asian Cup triumph in Australia , the veteran Japan defender is asked about where this trophy sits among the many other titles she has won