Homare Sawa

Japan's hat-trick of FIFA awards has boosted their bid for a historic women's World Cup-Olympic double and, according to their football chief, encouraged the disaster-hit nation and Asia as a whole. Homare Sawa, whose last-gasp equaliser helped Japan win the women's World Cup in July, said Wednesday after returning home with the Women's Player of the Year she was dumbstruck by the honour. "My mind went blank when my name was called. Now it is slowly sinking in. I want to work hard and live up...Read Full Story

なでしこジャパンFIFA初優勝！ ドイツ時間7月17日午後7時35分（日本時間18日午前3時35分）から開催された女子サッカーFIFAワールドカップ決勝にて、日本チームは最後まで粘り強くアメリカに逆転。２対２引き分けで迎えたPK戦にて３−１で勝利。素晴らしい試合でした。 "Japan Won FIFA Women's World Cup Final" : The FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 final game was held on July 17th from 7:35 pm Germany time and 11:35 am US Pacific time between USA and Japan. Japan came from behind and tied USA at 2 to 2 after 2 extra time plays. At the PK shoot out, Japan won USA at 3 to 1. It was a wonderful game. 試合前、「君が代」斉唱中の選手たち。 Japanese...Read Full Story

Japan players celebrate with the trophy after winning the final match between Japan and the United States at the FIFA Women's Soccer World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany, on Sunday.   (Michael Probst/Associated Press) Women's World Cup - so okay I was really rooting for USWNT or the US Womens National Team and they played really good but then again Japan played even better obviously.The victory of Japan brought great joy and pride to a country that has suffered and which continues to suffer from...Read Full Story

The painted fingernails of Homare Sawa of Japan are seen during the Japan Women's national team press conference before the World Cup final. FRANKFURT, Germany — Japan coach Norio Sasaki has said his side are ready to pull off another giant-killing in Sunday’s women’s World Cup final when they take on two-time winners the USA. Despite their nickname Nadeshiko — a flower symbolising grace and beauty — the Japanese have earned a reputation as giant-killers by knocking out the hosts in the...Read Full Story

Boston Globe World Cup attracted legions of new soccer fans Ocala With one well-timed heel flick, Japanese soccer star Homare Sawa forced a 2-2 draw with the US national team, sending the Women's World Cup final into penalty kicks, where Japan outscored the Americans 3-1. Japan's Homare Sawa, left, ... Wambach, a Runner-Up, Returns to a Champion's Welcome New York Times Abby Wambach, some others may play; Hope Solo won't Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Abby Wambach overwhelmed by Rochester...Read Full Story

Globe and Mail Japan's Sawa named Golden Ball winner Los Angeles Times Japan captain Homare Sawa not only went home with the World Cup and Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer, but she was also named the Player of the Tournament as well. Sawa scored five goals and assisted on another to lead Japan to its first ... Japan's character seen in women's World Cup victory CNN (blog) Seven realizations from the World Cup ESPN Women's World Cup Final Between Japan, US Draws Best TV Rating Since...Read Full Story

Homare Sawa Japanese women’s national team captain won the best female player 2011 version of FIFA. In addition to awards for Sawa, Japan also received two other awards at the Ballon d’Or Gala in Zurich on Monday (01/09/2012). Norio Sasaki was selected as the best women’s soccer coach in 2011 and the Japanese Football Association (JFA) was awarded the Fair Play Award 2011Read Full Story

Homare Sawa (left) receives the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year award from Colombian singer Shakira. STORY HIGHLIGHTS Japan captain Homare Sawa is crowned FIFA Women's World Player of the Year Norio Sasaki is named coach of the year, while Japan's FA takes Fair Play award Japan's World Cup win lauded after devastation of March 11 earthquake and tsunami Japan beat favorites theRead Full Story

AFP - Japan's veteran captain Homare Sawa insisted on Sunday that the time is finally right to bring Japanese football to the next level by winning the Women's World Cup title.Read Full Story

Homare Sawa, captain of the Japanese women's football team, wins the 2011 women's player of the year title at the FIFA Ballon d'Or awards.Read Full Story