Nadeshiko Japan finished second in the Women's World Cup held in Canada despite its lopsided 5-2 defeat to the United States in the final last Sunday. After capturing the championship four years earlier, the national women's team won the silver medal in the 2012 Olympics in London. The fact that the team advanced to three major finals since 2011 (all against the U.S.) is testament to its ability and fortitude.
The team's achievements are a ray of hope for the future of women's soccer in Japan and provide stirring inspiration for girls playing soccer in elementary and junior high school. It will now be all the more important for sports authorities to broaden the base of women's soccer in Japan by increasing the number of players and capable coaches, especially at the junior high school level, so that the Nadeshiko team's spirit and ability will be handed down to future generations.
In the 2011 World Cup, Homare Sawa performed brilliantly. She was chosen by FIFA as the most valuable player for the tournament. This year, team captain Aya Miyama not only demonstrated strong leadership but also shone with her effective movements to create scoring chances.