Japan coach Norio Sasaki is confident the reigning champions can retain their title by beating familiar foe the United States again in the Women's World Cup final on Sunday.

"It's a real honor to be battling the United States again," said Sasaki, whose team stunned the U.S. 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw to win the title in Germany four years ago, just four months after a devastating earthquake and tsunami ravaged the country.

"If we can play our brand of soccer then I think we can win the championship," he told a press conference on the eve of the match.