Etsuko Handa (半田 悦子, Handa Etsuko; born 10 May 1965) is a Japanese former professional footballer. She was also a member of the Japan national team.
Handa was born in Shizuoka on 10 May 1965. She played for her local club Shimizudaihachi SC and Suzuyo Shimizu FC Lovely Ladies (formerly Shimizu FC Ladies). In 1989, Handa helped Shimizu FC Ladies win the L.League in its inaugural season, while also earning the Best player award. During the 1993 season, she scored 14 goals and was the league's top scorer. She was selected Best Eleven four times (1989, 1990, 1993, 1994).
In June 1981, when Handa was 16 years old, she was selected to the Japan national team for the 1981 AFC Championship. At this competition, she debuted against Chinese Taipei on 7 June. This fixture was also Japan's first International A Match. On 13 June, she scored a goal in Japan's (1–0) victory against Indonesia. It was Japan's first goal and first win in an "A" match. She also played at the 1986, 1989, 1991, 1993 and 1995 AFC Championships. Handa also competed at the 1990 and 1994 Asian Games, as well as the 1991 and 1995 World Cups and the 1996 Summer Olympics. She played 75 games in total for Japan throughout her career, as well as scoring 19 goals.[1]
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