It’s one of the greatest wearing testimonies in history. Not just in women’s soccer or ladies sport, but inside the records of the competition.
Japan had never long gone beyond the region-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 on their best overall performance in one of the greatest suits in World Cup history. Over 10 million Japanese fans tuned in to look at 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 that had devastated the united states.
“After the tsunami and earthquake, I turned into speak with my crew-pals as to whether or not it became the right factor to participate at the event,” she said.
“But in the end, we concluded that by using playing soccer we should transmit a high-quality message to each person that experienced that disaster.”
That choice falls very well in line with the Japanese mentality – placing others earlier than oneself. Ask Miyama approximately her function inside the World Cup win, which noticed her rating within the Final and convert 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 just 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 best for the World Cup win, however for the style they adopted to accomplish it.
If combatants got here away with something near Japan’s ownership stats, they had carried out nicely.
“Under our teach [Norio Sasaki], we worked plenty on possession, and the philosophy became not just to transport the ball, however, to maintain the ball to win.
“We had been no longer as large as some of the 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 primary time in eight years. A group-mate from that golden era of gamers, Homare Sawa, also became capable of getting her palms on it. Each player joined in a public communication show alongside Sasaki and present-day head train, Asako Takakura.
On lifting the trophy for the first time because of 2011, Miyama said: “Eight years in the past I become very excited while we gained, so it didn’t experience heavy. But this time, I changed into so surprised that the trophy changed into pretty heavy, so that becomes a brand new feeling for me.”
If contemporary captain Saki Kumagai is to lift the trophy this 12 months, her face will first have to conquer a set that carries England, Scotland, and Argentina.
Miyama, who retired two years in the past, stated Takakura’s aspect received’t have any smooth suits of their institution, but is confident they could perform once they take the sphere in France.
“World Cups are never easy,” she said. “But this team has more self-assurance in themselves, and I assume they have an appropriate risk to win.”
