It’s one of the greatest wearing testimonies in history, not just in women’s soccer or ladies’ sports but also in the competition records.
Japan had never long gone beyond the regional finals of a FIFA Women’s World Cup™. More importantly, three months earlier, we suffered one of the most devastating natural failures in its records when an earthquake and tsunami struck.
But the Nadeshiko turned in their best overall performance in one of the greatest suits in World Cup history. Over 10 million Japanese fans tuned in to see Aya Miyama and her crew defeat the favored USA on consequences in the 2011 Final.
“It becomes a miracle,” said Miyama. “Nobody could see that finishing.”
Nobody may want to see that ending, but there was a risk no one could have visible the start of both.
Midfield magician Miyama revealed she and her crew-buddies had debated whether playing in a World Cup changed into the quality element to achieve this soon after an occasion devastated by the United States.
“After the tsunami and earthquake, I turned to speak with my crew pals as to whether or not it became the right factor to participate in the event,” she said.
“But in the end, we concluded that by playing soccer, we should transmit a high-quality message to each person that experienced that disaster.”
That choice aligns well with the Japanese mentality – placing others earlier than oneself. Ask Miyama about her function in the World Cup win, which noticed her rating within the Final and converting her penalty within the shoot-out. She takes no credit, suggesting alternatively that any praise ought to be aimed in the crew’s direction, now not hers.
The FIFA Legends Squad member, who changed into speak in Tokyo for the duration of the modern-day prevent of the Women’s World Cup Trophy Tour, stated it took time for the instant of victory to sink in due largely to how long the road was to get there.
“At that second, I felt like we had gained a healthy, much like any match because I had performed in such a lot with my crew friends.
“But as time surpassed, it simply hit me that we had come to be international champions.”
Japan received heaps, likely even hundreds of thousands of admirers, now not only for its World Cup win but also for the style it adopted to accomplish it.
If combatants got away with something near Japan’s ownership stats, they had carried out nicely.
“Under our teacher [Norio Sasaki], we worked plenty on possession, and the philosophy became not just to transport the ball, but to maintain the ball to win.
“We had been no longer as large as some alternative teams, but I suppose they probably determined it hard as it becomes a new philosophy.”
Having the World Cup in Tokyo allowed Miyama to elevate the trophy for the first time in eight years. A groupmate from that golden era of gamers, Homare Sawa, also became capable of getting her hands on it. Each player joined in a public communication show alongside Sasaki and present-day head coach Asako Takakura.
On lifting the trophy for the first time in 2011, Miyama said: “Eight years in the past, I become very excited while we gained, so it didn’t experience heavy. But this timewasibecameised that the trophy changed and became pretty heavy, which was a brand new feeling for me.”
If contemporary captain Saki Kumagai is to lift the trophy this 12 months, her face must first conquer a set that carries England, Scotland, and Argentina.
Miyama, who retired two years ago, stated Takakura’s aspect didn’t have any smooth suits for their institution but was confident they could perform once they took the sphere in France.
“World Cups are never easy,” she said. “But this team has more self-assurance, and I assume they have an appropriate risk to win.”
