After
the horror March's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis,
the
women of Japan's national football team show their nation's
gratitude
for the world's support, after their historic World Cup
victory
over the United States, July 17.
Mainichi Shimbun, Japan
After Quake, Japan’s World Cup Win is Best Form of Medicine
"Team Captain Homare Sawa's
precious equalizing goal decided the match … No matter how many times one views
the joyous scene, the feeling of excitement never fades. For Japan, looking to
revive itself after the Great East Japan earthquake, this victory was the best possible
kind of encouragement."
Female Japanese fans are ecstatic, after Japan beat the United States in the final match of the Women’s World Cup Football tournament in Frankfurt, Germany, July 17.
On
the morning of July 18th, Japan was buzzing with excitement - it was a truly
amazing morning.
At the FIFA Women's World
Cup, Japan's national football team had advanced to the finals - a first - and subsequently
defeated the #1 ranked American team after a battle of penalty kicks, winning the
world title - another first.
While the final match against
the United States began at 3:45am Japan time, there was no absence of
encouragement, as voices began cheering the team in front of televisions before
the game even began.
Japan had faced the U.S. team
24 times in the past and had been defeated 21 times along with three draws. The
United States was a rival they had never beaten. In the course of the match,
Japan was down by 2 goals - a painful development to be sure - but they held on
tenaciously. The result was a final series of penalty kicks in which goalkeeper
Ayumi Kaihori registered one “super save” after another, wrestling away victory from Japan's
powerful opponents.
Team Captain Homare Sawa’s
precious equalizing goal in the drawn-out second half decided the match, and
giving her the five goals in the last 6 games she needed to win the title MVP of
Women’s Football, adding “icing on the cake” to the overall victory.
No matter how many times one
views the joyous scene, the feeling of excitement never fades. For Japan, looking
to revive itself after the Great East Japan earthquake,
this victory was the best possible kind of encouragement.
The
tremendous emotion wasn't limited to the action in the game itself. After
scoring the winning goal and ending the game, the Japan women's teamcircled the stadium to the roar of the crowd, holding
a banner written in English, “To Our Friends Around the World - Thank You for
Your Support!” The Nadeshiko
[women's team] showed Japan's gratitude for the global backing given
during the great earthquake in eastern Japan. It filled us with great pride.
Japan's women have reached
the height of worldwide acclaim, having defeated both Germany (ranked second in
the world) and the United States. From now on, Japan's women are “the team to
beat.” However, excluding players who play overseas and in professional leagues,
it would be difficult to say that the players' post-game circumstances are a
blessing. Many are part of privately-owned leisure teams and will continue to
play, but the balance between work and football was and will continue to be a difficult
struggle.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
In the past, once a player was
selected to represent the country at an international tournament, half of the
total costs associated with their participation were paid out of pocket. Just
like those that came before, players continued to taste the "sorrow of ammeter
sports” and sacrificed for their team. This time around, however, as thanks for
the Japan team's sacrifice, a flower has bloomed [their will be some
compensation]. Considering this, it seems clear that Japan's national team will
not forget this “spirit of gratitude.”
[TV Asahi has reported that
FIFA pays the winning team $1 million, and that the Japan Football Federation
would pay each member of the team $64,000. Also, Kirin, which is a sponsor of
the national football teams, says it will award each member of Nadeshiko Japan $20,000.]
The key to the future expansion
of football in Japan is firmly within our grasp. The All-Japan Inter High
School Tournament, established by the National High School Athletic League,
will host a girl's football tournament in northeastern Japan next year. It is
imperative that there be improvements in the environment to make it possible
for these young women begin to play and aspire to be like the Nadeshiko team.
At
any rate, congratulations from all of us to Team Nadeshiko Japan!
