July 25, 2011

Nadeshiko Japan

Japan’s women’s World Cup win was so exciting. Honestly, I had never been interested in women’s soccer. I didn’t even know the World Cup was being held. When somebody told me that Japan won against Germany, I was thinking it was a minor friendship match or something. When Japan won the World Cup, I was glad and amazed but still not so moved. However many stories and player’s comments (both from Japan Team and the US Team) really got me into it. They showed such a beautiful mentality!

I’ve got to know how Japanese players went through the disaster and came to the World Cup field. I wonder how many of them debated whether continuing soccer or giving it up for recovery effort. After they made such a hard decision, of course they wanted to win..... Sawa’s words well represent their mentality. " We knew that what we were doing here could be about a little more than just a football tournament.... If it makes everyone happy and joyful and gives them a reason to cheer after such difficult times, then we have been successful". Yes, their championship encourages us very much.

I always think; We want to see effort and mature mentality of athletes that they establish through their hard training. We want to be moved by it as well as amazing play. We want to learn and be encouraged from them. Nadeshiko Japan, as well as the US team, gave us all these. Congratulations!

I lost my mind from the too much excitement :D