A Nadeshiko moment
(From The Japan Times July 21 issue)

Nadeshiko Japan won the women's World Cup by defeating the heavily favored United States on July 17 in Frankfurt, Germany. It was a great feat. Japan's women's national team became the first Japanese as well as the first Asian team to become the World Cup winner, irrespective of men's or women's soccer.

As Japan reels from the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and the subsequent nuclear crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, the team's ascendancy to the world's top position has spurred hope, courage and confidence in Japan, especially among those in the devastated Tohoku region, who are trying to overcome their suffering and setback from the disasters, and to reconstruct their areas.

The Japanese and U.S teams should be praised for playing a thrilling and hard-fought game, which riveted people around the world to their TV screens.

Japan came from behind twice in a 2-2 tie and then beat the United States. 3-1 on penalty kicks — testimony to the Japanese players' tenacity and "never give up" spirit.

The secret of the Japanese team's strength lay in well-thought-out tactics aimed at overcoming the speed and size of the American and European players.

For example, Swedish players were about 10 cm taller than the Japanese players on average and U.S. players were about 7 cm taller. Smooth passing and strong defense were big factors that led the Japanese team to victory.

In each game, Japanese players tenaciously chased and pressured opposing players in possession of the ball. Since 1991, when the Japan's women's team first played in the World Cup, it has pursued the same tactics consistently.

Team captain Homare Sawa, whose five goals led the team, won the Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot awards.

Coach Norio Sasaki, with a keen eye on the characteristics of each player, unified the 21-member team and adopted appropriate strategies that made the best use of players' strengths.

Women's soccer in Japan is not free of problems. The number of grass-roots players is not large. Sports authorities should strive to create social environments that are more favorable to women's soccer.

日本語の抄訳はウィークリー7月30日−8月6日合併号のP18に掲載されています。